《Secunda》


 (1.1) The Skull

    The bitter grasp of winter still clung to the early spring mornings, but each new day saw its grip weaken. Patience sat close to the burning stove, warding off the cold. She rubbed her button nose; dew drops of moisture clung to her finger. Songbirds twittered outside, joined by clucks from the hens in the garden. The rooster died from old age a couple weeks before. He had survived the winter, stubbornly holding out to pass during a milder time. Patience felt guilty for enjoying the absence of her usual morning alarm, but waking up naturally to the sun warming her face was a treat.


    She stared at the pot of water on the stove, waiting for it to boil. Two eggs rested in a bowl on the kitchen table behind her. It would be a meager breakfast. The girl had run out of bread yesterday and she did not feel like making more just yet. There were other tasks that needed addressing first. She had to prepare and seed the garden. She had to go into town to sell the fabric dolls she made during the winter, she had to buy new galoshes, a new rooster, and do a hundred other things. She might as well buy a loaf or two at the bakery since they usually tasted better than hers anyway.


    The dread of going into town began to creep into her chest before a knock on the door brought her back to the present. Patience stood up with a start. Visitors never came this early. Visitors never came.


    ¡°What could that be at this time?¡± Patience had a habit of making quips to herself. Ever since her parents passed she thought she would fill her home with some energy again. Even so, there was little room for house calls. She cautiously approached the front door and slowly opened it. Blinking back the bright sun, a face came into focus.


    ¡°Good morning. I have a delivery for Patience Firmin?¡±


    ¡°The very same,¡± said the girl. She rarely received packages so she was always amused whenever something would come, even if she herself ordered an item from the stores in town.


    The courier gave a timid smile and fumbled with his ledger. Patience wondered if he had been caught off guard by her scarred head. The left half of her scalp had been burned in a fire as an infant. Parts of the area were scabby, others were smooth and lumpy, all of it redder than the rest of her skin. It was barren and failed to produce hair. It was also susceptible to irritation. Patience kept the hair on her right side braided tightly by the base of her scalp to limit it from flopping over. The bristled end of her dark brown hair shot out to the left like a groundhog tail. Worst of all, she still felt pain in her head at times.


    The girl smoothed loose strands from her eye as the courier found the correct page. She exchanged a signature in the courier¡¯s receipt book for the wooden box he carried. With the package now off his hands, the young man tipped his hat and returned to his motorcar that was parked neatly on the side of the road. She watched him trek through the garden, making sure he stayed on the cobbled path.


    Once he drove away, Patience looked down at the box by her feet. She did not recall ordering anything. It was rather large; on the ground it came up to her knee. The box was lighter than it appeared, further stoking her curiosity. Then she remembered the water on the stove.


    Settled in the kitchen, two hard-boiled eggs and a cup of tea by her hand, the girl turned her attention to the box that now occupied the space between the table and stove. While the eggs had been boiling, she had retrieved a crowbar from the shed at the back of the house. Patience bit into an egg, feeling the heft of the tool in her right hand.


    ¡°Well, here it goes!¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    The girl pried the lid of the box open, nails baring in the dim light like fangs. The lid flopped over with a crunch of splinters. Inside was a nest of shredded paper and wood shavings, a card lay half-buried in the pile. Patience took it in her hands and read.


    ¡°¡®Dear Patience, I came across this specimen whilst traveling through Vyugary and thought it the perfect gift for your twenty-fifth birthday. Perhaps you can add it to your collection. The locals said it belongs to a rare beast, a legend or some sort. Even if it is a facsimile, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll enjoy it. Wishing you good health, a very happy belated birthday, and all the best. Leland Unger¡¯¡­ Unger ¡­ Unger ¡­ Oh right! Uncle Lung. Hm, still traveling at your age! Commendable!¡± smiled Patience. How sweet of him to think of her.


    She thought back to the elderly man. Not a biological uncle, but he was close friends with her late father. Patience remembered him visiting their home a few times when she was very small, hence the odd nickname. She had not seen him in years and only last heard from him via a letter paired with delivery of flowers after her mother¡¯s wake five years ago.


    ¡°Hm, a skull eh?¡± Her grin widened. She dove into the nest, feeling for the prize it hid. Her fingers came upon a cool, hard surface. Excitement thrummed through her body as she reached in and lifted the specimen out of the box in a flurry of wood shavings.


    Wide vacant eye sockets stared at her. They flanked a long smooth snout, devoid of a nasal cavity. There were no upper teeth to the top half of the skull save for six at the very front. The two largest canines splayed away from the center of the face of the former creature. Attached to the top skull by some strange ligament, still flexible, were mandibles. They were the creature¡¯s unfused jaw, much like a snake¡¯s, except these each ended with a solitary, long, pointed tooth. If the shape of the skull was not strange enough, the entire thing was a rich dark chestnut brown with a very subtle iridescent sheen.


    ¡°Amazing!¡± squealed Patience. She tilted the skull around in glee, inspecting every inch. ¡°This thing is massive! But so light!¡±


    The girl moved the bottom mandibles back and forth. ¡°How odd the ligament is still intact and elastic!¡±


    She ran her hands all over the surface, on top of the skull, and inside, ¡°The interior cavity is so smooth!¡± It was unlike anything she had ever seen. Aside from a few subtle notches on the underside, the skull was completely concave and seemed more like a mask carved by some primitive tribe.


    Patience paused and evaluated its size once again, ¡°Bet I could fit it on my head.¡±


    She giggled and glanced over her shoulder. Of course there was no one around to pass judgement. With a sharp exhale, Patience lifted the monstrous skull and placed it over her head.


    Suddenly a jolt shot through her neck. She panicked and brought a hand to her braid. For a moment she thought her burn was acting up but she had never felt anything like it. The sensation had gone as quickly as it struck. Patience calmed herself and moved her head around. She could see through the skull¡¯s eye sockets. However she could not see the fine mist that began to trickle out the back of the skull.


    ¡°Oh wow! I can see through this thing. Well, not well enough. I¡¯d still have to take it off while sewing. Wait, why would I do anything with this on?¡± Patience chuckled and reached to take the skull off when her wrists stopped in place. She froze. Eyes wide, she gazed at her arms. Snaked around them were thick smoking tendrils.


    ¡°Wh-WHAT IN THE NAME OF HELL¡ª¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not do that right now.¡±


    Patience yelped, her eyes darting back and forth. It came from nowhere and everywhere. This voice with its unearthly timbre seared into Patience¡¯s ears. The sound crept in from behind and tingled and pricked its way to the girl¡¯s temples. She shuddered.


    ¡°WHA¡ªwho¡¯s there?¡± Patience shouted.


    ¡°I am Anax,¡± hissed the voice sending shivers down her spine.


    ¡°W-What?¡±


    All of a sudden the cold weight of muscled arms tightened over Patience¡¯s chest.


    ¡°You¡¯re all mine now!¡±


    Patience screamed and fainted.

 (1.2) Anax

    Eyes slowly fluttered open, vision slightly obscured. The skull was still on her head. Patience panicked and sat up. She was in her bed. She distinctly remembered being in the kitchen. Taking deep breaths, she attempted to remove the skull once more. Tendrils shot around her arms just as before. It had not been a dream.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t happening!¡± she cried, her face twisting in distress.


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? Take me off and I¡¯m an inanimate object once more!¡± The voice rammed through her head.


    ¡°Oh really? Sounds like a good idea!¡± shouted Patience. She rushed at the skull again, this time stopped by fully formed arms. At the end of the arms were large hands. At the end of the hands were sharp claws. The girl whimpered. She was nowhere near strong enough to wrestle free from this thing¡¯s grasp.


    ¡°We are tethered now,¡± the thing chortled darkly.


    Defeated, tears began to well in the girl¡¯s eyes. She flung herself back into the comfort of her bed.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t happening ¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh but it is! And I have fortune to thank!¡± sang the skull.


    ¡°How did I get back into my room?¡± Patience asked, voice wavering.


    ¡°I carried you. No good resting on the kitchen floor,¡± replied the creature. This time its voice flowed more mildly around her. He seemed to have been shouting before.


    ¡°You carried me?¡±


    ¡°I caught you as you fell off the chair in the kitchen. I then brought you here.¡±


    Patience felt her stomach drop. She sat up in her bed, prompted by some ancient instinct triggered by the presence of unknowable danger. She gripped her chest and felt the furious drumming of her heart. A skull that talked was unsettling enough, and one that sprouted tentacles was quite jarring. However, this skull was shaping into something greater, something more disconcerting, threatening.


    The girl took a few deep breaths and balled her fists. One always approached wild animals with caution. She would have to do the same. The advantage she had in this case was this thing could be spoken to; she could learn from it. Without many other options, Patience decided to establish a rapport with this creature.


    ¡°How did you carry me?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I formed a body.¡±


    ¡°Like how you formed those coils around my arms?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Patience balked. She had seen a witch shape-shift once at an exhibition, but this thing now surrounding her was something else entirely. The witch had shifted into an owl, it was quite wondrous but she had seen an owl before. This creature could form into things she had never laid eyes upon or knew existed.


    ¡°How is your body like this?¡± Genuine curiosity bubbled now.


    ¡°See that fly over there?¡± Anax forced Patience¡¯s head to focus on the insect cleaning itself on the windowsill. ¡°What do you suppose is inside it? Bone? Like you? No.¡±


    Anax formed a fist in a blink and smashed the fly. The girl stared wide-eyed.


    ¡°Nothing but liquid and guts. You see its skeleton is on the outside. This is the way my kind are.¡±


    ¡°So this mist around me, that you use to form a body, is your insides?¡±


    ¡°Yes. But unlike insects we can harden and reform it at will¡ªwell, once our external bodies are destroyed.¡±


    ¡°What happened to yours?¡±


    ¡°Something awful. My body was shattered. So my insides sucked themselves up into my skull, which was luckily still intact, and I waited.¡±


    ¡°And you needed a living being to reform again?¡±


    ¡°Only a living thing can spark our second life. We need to share the fire of life from our donor to exist in this state.¡±


    Patience breathed a slight sigh of relief. If he needed her to survive, it was unlikely there would be immediate danger to her health. Her father had taught her about a number of parasites: some lived peacefully with their hosts, others ravaged the host¡¯s bodies, and yet others did both at different stages in their life cycle. She wondered which of these categories the skull fit, yet she feared to learn the answer.


    ¡°Wh-what kind of creature are you?¡±


    ¡°I am unsure if your people have a name for my kind. The ones from my home region certainly, but you ¡­¡±


    ¡°How are you speaking my language anyway?¡± her voice cracked.


    ¡°Simple, with the connection to you¡ªI¡¯m sure you felt it when I established it, I absorb many things you know, including the tongue you speak in. I don¡¯t know everything, but a good chunk of it.¡±


    Patience flushed. She did not want this creature rummaging around her mind. ¡°I don¡¯t need a skull going through my skull.¡±


    ¡°I have a name. I have an identity,¡± he said raising his voice. The back of Patience¡¯s neck tingled.


    ¡°Sorry I wasn¡¯t really paying attention when I had a disembodied voice yelling around my head!¡± barked Patience. Without warning, the mist spread over the girl¡¯s body and pushed her into the bed with the weight of two adults. She felt the air pressed out of her lungs, her eyes bulging.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°It¡¯s Anax,¡± The voice ground into Patience¡¯s temples.


    ¡°All right, Anax!¡± wheezed the girl. Lifting off her body, the vapor condensed into two arms and gently rested around Patience¡¯s torso, almost in an embrace. Anymore outbursts and the girl felt like she would die from a heart attack. She would be of no use to Anax then. The girl hoped he had enough foresight to avoid that at least.


    ¡°I won¡¯t harm you. Not much. Not intentionally. So long as I am conscious, I will keep you well,¡± said the skull. An uneasy peace fell over the two souls. Anax may have been pleased but all this commotion began to aggravate the girl¡¯s scalp. Familiar stings ran across the uneven surface and a dull pain started to well. Patience hissed through her teeth.


    ¡°Hm? I¡¯m certain I did not press that hard on you to cause pain.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s my burn. It hurts at times.¡±


    ¡°Allow me.¡± A gentle touch of mist began caressing the scars. Flowing between grooves and bumps, it spread its cool vapor. Patience was shocked how tenderly he moved, and even more surprised that it actually soothed her aching. The rest of his body billowed around her, spilling over the bed like a rolling fog, the edge lapping the air as flames would. His arms remained wrapped around her waist. The girl settled on focusing her breathing, giving herself to the odd but serene sensations.


    ¡°Feel better?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you know? You¡¯re in my head,¡± Patience snarked.


    ¡°Not completely. I don¡¯t have access to everything. Consider it a grace! Most my kind completely take over their life-donors, erasing their sense of self.¡±


    Patience gulped, ¡°Y-you can do that to m-me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more difficult with beings as highly intelligent as humans, but yes. It can and has been done before,¡± he explained nonchalantly.


    ¡°But you¡¯re not¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve no interest in a total takeover. Humans are quite interesting. I need a teacher,¡± Anax stated in the same tone as one does when giving a disinterested excuse.


    Patience¡¯s heart rate slowed to its normal speed at last. She would be safe for now. The girl lied motionless, letting her body sink into the quilt.


    ¡°Thanks. I do feel better,¡± Patience whimpered. The morning had lapsed into midday. She figured this predicament was a valid excuse not to get any work done today.


    ¡°Can I go to the kitchen to brew some fresh tea? I have a special mix that helps my pain too,¡± the girl asked quietly.


    ¡°Very well,¡± said Anax withdrawing his arms. They lost their shape and melted into the frothing mist. Patience rose from her bed, Anax falling behind her like some mystical cape. On her way to the kitchen, she noticed a small, white, glowing orb the size of a marble float around over her right eye. It was not in her vision but seemed to be centered in the skull¡¯s eye socket. She wondered if this was the essence of Anax¡¯s eye, however that worked. However he worked. Patience was still baffled by his physiology, but then again science only explained so much of the world; and with its own systems, magic usually explained the remainder.


    ¡°You have a large collection of animals and skeletons.¡±


    Patience stopped at the archway to the parlor and gazed at the various mounted birds and small mammals adorning its shelves, standing guard over the dainty sofa and armchair resting in front of the fireplace. A few mounted skeletons stalked among them.


    ¡°My father was a taxidermist. Hunters everywhere gave him their trophies to immortalize.¡± She smiled fondly. ¡°He sought to capture the essence of life. But I think there is beauty in death. I liked mounting the skeletons, so delicate, all underneath skin and muscle ¡­¡±


    Patience sighed at the wooden box and shavings scattered over the kitchen floor. Ignoring the mess for now, she went over to the barrel in the corner and filled a kettle with water. The barrel was getting low. It would need a refill soon with trips to the water pump outside. That could wait another day. Patience lit the stove once again. She took out a tin from a cupboard and sprinkled a pinch of its contents into a cup.


    ¡°Would you display my body if given the chance?¡± asked Anax. Patience startled. She did not expect such a question from him, at least based on what little she learned of him these past few hours.


    ¡°Well¡ªI suppose it would be an interesting opportunity. But estimating your size, I don¡¯t think I could display you in here, at a museum maybe,¡± she sputtered.


    ¡°Patience ¡­ that is your name?¡± asked Anax, moving to an entirely new topic. Patience glanced to her side and saw that he held Unger¡¯s letter in a clawed hand. Surprise almost grappled her mind but she concluded it was their link that granted him literacy.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°What kind of name is that? Patience? It¡¯s a word in your language.¡±


    ¡°You see, my parents had wanted children for a very long time. It wasn¡¯t until the night my father rescued me as a baby from a fire that their wish finally came true. On his way home from an engagement in the city, he passed by a burning farmhouse. I was lucky, they said. It seemed someone rolled me out of the blazing building onto the lawn. Only my scalp couldn¡¯t escape a small piece of fiery debris that landed near me. The authorities presumed my birth family died in that fire¡ªnothing was left but ash¡ªand there were no county records of who lived there, so they let my father keep me.¡±


    ¡°Quite a story.¡±


    ¡°Finally blessed with a child, my parents named me after their number one virtue.¡±


    It may have been the dull pain swaying her rationale, but for now they were inseparable so she might as well get to know a bit about this creature on a personal level. He did help her feel better after all.


    ¡°How did you get your name then? Does ¡®Anax¡¯ mean anything?¡±


    ¡°My father named me. It¡¯s from an ancient tongue. It means ¡®leader¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Were you meant to lead?¡±


    ¡°He only hoped. It¡¯s tradition my people name their young qualities they wish them to develop.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite a lot to live up to.¡±


    Anax remained silent. Patience wondered if she should have retracted her last statement. Then she thought whether she should care about this thing¡¯s feelings at all. So long as he was not angry, so long as he was not yelling in her head. The fervent bubbling of boiling water called her attention.


    Patience took the kettle off the stove and filled her cup. She brought the tea to her nose, inhaling the steam and its woody aroma. Making her way to the parlor, Patience nodded her head in the direction of the little side table between the sofa and armchair.


    ¡°There¡¯s a photograph of my parents and me when I was a toddler.¡±


    Anax extended a couple of tendrils and gingerly picked up the carved frame sitting between a book and an empty candy dish on the walnut surface. He brought it in front of their eyes. It had been a while since the girl looked at this photo. Two austere faces peered up at them. On the left was Patience¡¯s father, hair a shade lighter than his bushy eyebrows and receding from his wrinkled brow. A mustache held fast to his lip, refusing to wane with age. On the right was Patience¡¯s mother, tidy curls pinned to the side of her head, the neatest she had ever seen it. Her mouth flanked by deep lines was set far back in her face. Between them rested a round, wide-eyed child glancing off to the side. The deformed skin of her scar was painfully apparent even in this sepia image.


    ¡°They seem a fine couple,¡± said Anax. ¡°They have passed on?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Anax slowly returned the photograph to the side table, setting it down with the care of watchmaker. Patience gave a crooked smile even though she was sure he could not view it. She appreciated how he took her answers as a matter of fact without further prodding. The girl flashed the photo one final look before she nestled into the sofa and pulled a throw around herself. Lifting the cup under the skull to her mouth, she realized how fortunate it was that Anax¡¯s bottom jaw was unfused. She could still eat and drink with relative ease at least. Thus the girl sat in the center of an audience of long passed beasts, wearing the skull of a creature with a second lease on life, reflecting upon her current circumstances.

 (2.1) Keaton

    Witches were not entirely uncommon in the area. Many passed through town on their way elsewhere, and some would peddle their wares from carts. They could often be seen wearing outlandish garments, adorning their heads with unconventional decorations, some macabre. It would not be entirely farfetched for Patience to appear at the store with a skull on her head. Most people who knew of her could assume this was a natural progression of her fascination with skeletons. Some might conclude she was a witch all along.


    Witches. Patience wondered if they had a solution to get the skull off her head. Force seemed out of the question. To her knowledge, Anax did not sleep either; so the girl failed to imagine how he could be subdued. Then again, she pondered how many people in the world knew of the true nature of whatever Anax was. Or how many of those people could be found here across the vast ocean far away from Vyugary and his homeland. She would have to endure her time with him.


    Patience fixed herself in front of the mirror, lifting the short cinched sleeves of her off-shoulder blouse. It was a little strange changing into her nightgown last night, fortunately her gown had a collar wide enough to slip over the skull. Anax had made some remarks about humans needing clothing for protection, but it was no more awkward than undressing in front of a cat or dog.


    Earlier she woke up feeling quite well despite the giant skull over her head. Anax had cradled her head through the entire night and she did not wake with the neck pain she expected. She had felt as if she was sleeping on a cloud, which given the state of Anax¡¯s body, was an apt comparison. It had not been an unpleasant night with the creature.


    The only sourness during her night was wrestling with the decision whether to go into town today or not. She could not put off buying essentials. Patience was running low on flour, and she could only go so long without bread. It would be best to simply get the trip over with.


    She tightened an old leather brace around her waist, in case she would need to lift anything heavy this trip into town. Outside the sun beamed brightly. The girl stroked a wool cape hung up on the side of her wardrobe.


    ¡°Thinking of hiding me?¡± snarked Anax.


    The hooded cape would indeed be an integral piece in completing an outfit with the skull. There could even be a chance no one would recognize Patience in full attire, but alas it was too warm out to justify its inclusion.


    ¡°People know me in town. They¡¯ll talk,¡± Patience grumbled, unconsciously touching her hand to Anax¡¯s jaw.


    ¡°Let them,¡± said Anax.


    The girl sighed and pulled on her boots. By the front door, she had placed earlier a flour sack full of the dolls and stuffed animals she had sewn during the winter. Anax formed an arm and inspected them. They were all fairly primitive and made mostly from scrap fabric and old stray buttons, but there was a certain appeal to them. A few of the cloth girls had fine designs embroidered on their smocks. Some of the animals had stitches to suggest hair and fur. Each expressed a bit of the care put into making them.


    ¡°Toys ¡­¡±


    ¡°I have to make something to earn a bit of money,¡± said Patience tucking a coin purse into her pant pocket. She smiled to herself, ¡°I never was the best at stuffing real animals, so I thought I¡¯d stuff fake ones.¡±


    ¡°And the little people? Did your father stuff real humans?¡±


    Patience burst out laughing. The girl continued to chuckle out the door with the sack in tow. Outside, parked next to the water pump was a wooden wagon. She set the flour sack atop a bed of smaller cloth sacks lining the bottom. This was absurd. She might as well continue on with her day¡¯s plans. She can pretend Anax was not on her head at all. This would be like any other day. If she did not pay it any mind, perhaps other people would follow suit, or at least refrain from asking what it was. Obviously it was a skull. That was all. She pulled the wagon into motion, down the path and onto the road.


    A cool breeze swirled around them, picking up the folds of Patience¡¯s baggy pantaloons and blouse. The sky had clouded over from earlier. The girl rubbed her arm with her free hand and cursed the weather for being so capricious and for fooling her into leaving behind the cape.


    ¡°Cold?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°I¡¯ll warm up after a bit of walking,¡± she sniffed.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t do much for you. My second body does not retain heat very well.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right.¡±


    She was surprised he cared about something so insignificant. It warmed her heart a little. Too many years had passed since anyone expressed concern over her. Condolences are easy to offer at a funeral, but not everyone asks if they could do anything for an individual at any given time of day. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°Can other people hear you speak? Or have I been talking to myself all this time?¡± mused Patience, feet falling lightly upon the dirt road.


    ¡°Yes, others can hear me.¡±


    ¡°Very well. No talking when we¡¯re in close proximity to people then! You can¡¯t say anything unless I address you directly. And you can¡¯t form your mist or any limbs. I don¡¯t need more attention drawn to me.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Patience breathed a sigh of relief. Anax was rather accommodating today. Perhaps he was just excited to see the new sights. The floating orb of his eye lazily bobbed around her right temple. Occasionally she felt cold misty tendrils prod her head off to the side slightly, most likely to get a better view of something. She did not ask about it and accepted it; the motions were benign enough.


    The pair passed by fields and copses of trees straddling the road. Most were still greyed from winter, but a few spots of budding green dotted the landscape here and there. The girl and the skull strolled by more and more houses until the homes condensed into proper neighborhoods. A handful of people worked on their gardens and exteriors, repairing winter¡¯s damage. They stared of course, but quickly returned to their work without a remark.


    The road then whipped into shape, becoming less windy with fewer bumps and holes. It led them across a small wooden bridge, over a gushing stream full of melted snow from the mountains. At last after nearly an hour had passed from the time Patience left home, the ruddy brick buildings of the town of Keaton came into view.


    People bustled about, carrying all sorts of goods while dodging motorcars and cyclists in the streets. Patience approached the thickening crowd cautiously. Anax¡¯s white orb skittered around the eye socket, taking in all the hubbub. She wondered if he was enjoying himself. More side-glances passed her way, but nothing worse than that yet. Thankfully she did not see anyone she personally knew or anyone that recognized her.


    First Patience stopped by the dressmaker¡¯s to offload her handiwork. The head seamstress, Mrs. Laurence, was kind enough to let Patience sell her dolls in her store. They discovered the women who stopped by for clothing would often purchase a cloth doll or animal for their children. Customers found it quite charming to see these whimsical creations play amongst the fashions. Mrs. Laurence even reserved a spot in her front window to display the best of the season¡¯s menagerie.


    The girl parked her wagon below the grand window and took the flour sack into the store. A soft bell chime announced her entrance.


    ¡°Patience! I was wondering when you¡¯d show yourself,¡± greeted Mrs. Laurence. Her hands stilled from removing pins off a mannequin situated near the back of the room. The fine lines etched into her face stretched around a bright smile. Blooming around her were stacks of colorful fabric.


    ¡°Hi Mrs. Laurence. How was the winter for you?¡± asked Patience, relieved Anax was not the immediate topic. She set the flour sack upon the ledge leading to the front window.


    ¡°Ah, this one was better than the last. My old bones were very grateful.¡± She smoothed her maroon dress. ¡°By the way, I like your new addition.¡± The woman nodded at the girl¡¯s head. ¡°Quite the specimen.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± smiled Patience.


    ¡°I try my best to keep up with the trends but some of you youngsters are too avante-garde,¡± she muttered jokingly as she made her way to the front of the store. She passed by several finished dresses draped over forms that stood mingling againt the walls. Mrs. Laurence was usually nonchalant about most things. Patience liked that about her. The older woman bent over the sack, her peppery low coiffure lurched forward. She smelt of rose water, a nostalgic scent as Patience¡¯s own mother had used it on special occasions.


    ¡°Very nice ¡­ good ¡­ lovely,¡± murmured Mrs. Laurence as she took each toy out. She already knew where to place them in her shop. The largest dolls went around the skirt of her newest dress in the window. The animals were placed between bolts of fabric along the wall. A round striped elephant found itself perched on a mahogany shelf next to a tower of boxes. Patience noticed an absence of her creations from last year. Her heart beat a little faster in anticipation of her payment.


    ¡°Perfect!¡± quipped Mrs. Laurence as she stood back and gazed at her full shop. She went over to her till, skirt swishing over the ornate rug in the center of the main room. ¡°You really should stop by more often. I hate holding onto your money.¡±


    ¡°Oh you know me, I¡¯m always busy at home,¡± said Patience. Truthfully she was never much for dresses, especially not the proper starched ones hanging around her this moment. They reminded her too much of the young women in town living perfect lives, their lifestyles beyond her own reach. So coming into a store full of them simply to chat, no matter how friendly the company was, would always dampen her spirits.


    ¡°Suit yourself,¡± smirked the woman. She handed Patience a modest stack of dollar coins. Patience beamed, enjoying the satisfying clinks of coin against coin in her purse.


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll see you at the spring festival,¡± said Mrs. Laurence turning her attention back to her shop.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see! Until next time!¡± Patience left the store, grabbing her wagon¡¯s handle once more.


    Patience turned through alleyways until she found herself in the town¡¯s main square. Crowds of people crossed paths, offering the safe shelter of anonymity. Motor-powered vehicles were not permitted to drive through the square so most of Keaton¡¯s citizens found refuge to loiter in freedom here. The girl had to shut her right eye lest she get sick from Anax¡¯s orb zipping around her vision. She spotted the familiar green facade and cream signage of the general store and hastily made her way towards the entrance. She brought in the smaller sacks that lined the wagon, intent on filling them with seed, flour, millet, and rice.


    The store was empty save for the owner, Mr. Wells. He did not nose in people¡¯s business unless they offered it to him. Patience was thankful she could shop in peace. Her whole foray in the general store took less than half an hour. She found galoshes that fit and satisfied the empty sacks. She even learned when Mr. Well¡¯s brother would have chickens in at his feed store. Today was a very productive day.

 (2.2) The Bakery

    Wagon nearly full, Patience lugged it to their last stop, the bakery. On their way, they passed by the butcher shop. Anax¡¯s eye trained upon the cuts of meat hanging in the window. Noting the absence of any people nearby, Anax murmured to talk.


    ¡°That is something I¡¯ll miss,¡± he sighed.


    ¡°Meat?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Meat and eating in general.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to eat?¡± Upon realization, Patience had a difficult time imagining how Anax could eat in this state. He had no teeth aside from the eight pointing out over her chest.


    ¡°I get all the energy I need from you. So you may feel slightly hungrier than normal, but we are very efficient in our second lives and don¡¯t require much excess on your part.¡±


    ¡°Oh. That¡¯s convenient, I suppose,¡± remarked Patience.


    ¡°I can still taste things though,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°H-how?¡±


    ¡°I can taste things my vapor touches if I will it. Don¡¯t rightly know how it works. It¡¯s just how it is.¡±


    ¡°Well, I can buy some beef later on in the season. I have to clean out our smoking shed first.¡±


    Patience swore she heard a soft trill of delight at the back of her neck. A long while had passed since her last meal of red meat. It did sound enticing at the moment. Breaking temptation, she veered away from the butcher¡¯s and hustled to the bakery, the wagon clamoring behind her.


    The warm scent of yeast and wood smoke from the oven in the back welcomed Patience as she entered the bakery. There were a handful of people going about placing bread into their baskets. Patience tugged Anax¡¯s skull a little further down her face. She quickly grabbed two loaves for herself and went to pay. Her heart dropped when the face behind the counter beamed back at her.


    ¡°Patience! Long time no see!¡± giggled the cheery heart-shaped face.


    ¡°Hi, Serafina,¡± Patience uttered through a grimace forced into the vague shape of a smile. She was not counting on this cherubic blonde to be working this early in the season. Normally her mother would mind the register until after the spring festival, when people would come out to see one of the spring maidens. Still, even then, Serafina would only work the later shifts in the day so as not to have to wake early. At the end of summer, the girl would go back into her vocational hibernation.


    ¡°I almost didn¡¯t recognize you there!¡± she twittered.


    Patience wished she had not.


    ¡°How have you been?¡± Serafina pushed a stray golden lock behind her ear and flashed a saccharine smile.


    ¡°Oh you know, just getting ready for spring,¡± grunted Patience. She firmly put a few coins on the counter, hoping to pay and leave already.


    ¡°Is your headdress a part of those plans?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± said Patience, patting the money on the smooth wooden surface.


    An elderly woman behind Patience chimed, ¡°How is your mother doing? I heard she came down with a fever a couple days ago.¡±


    ¡°The fever broke last night. Thank you for asking, Mrs. Malkin!¡±


    ¡°Have you started preparing for the spring festival yet?¡± chirped another matron. Beneath the skull, Patience felt her head grow hot. She was starting to lose her patience.


    ¡°Oh I have, Mrs. Townsend! We raised just enough over the winter! I¡¯m going in for my final fitting tomorrow at the seamstress¡¯s!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! I can¡¯t wait to see how you look!¡± the woman simpered.


    Patience¡¯s eyes rolled in the shade of Anax¡¯s temples. She cleared her throat.


    Serafina finally noticed the payment on the counter and made change for Patience without any acknowledgement of the delay in service.


    ¡°Here you go, Patience!¡± Serafina dropped two coins into Patience¡¯s awaiting palm. ¡°I hope you¡¯ll come to the spring festival this year!¡±


    ¡°Maybe!¡± Patience forced her voice higher than normal to match Serafina¡¯s. She gathered the bread to her chest and promptly left the store. The loaves landed with soft thuds into her wagon.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°What was that about?¡± asked Anax as they walked down a secluded street.


    ¡°Ugh. Serafina¡¯s known me since we were kids. We¡¯ve never been close but I went to school with her so we know of each other well enough.¡±


    ¡°And the hostility?¡±


    Patience inhaled deeply, preparing to vent,¡°She just irritates me. A lot. Serafina¡¯s the baker¡¯s daughter, but she doesn¡¯t have any real interest in the bakery, she just tends the till whenever she wants or when she¡¯s forced to. She¡¯s never had to work a hard day in her life and people¡ªstrangers shower her with affection. Like the dress for example. She¡¯s been one of the main maidens in the spring festival for years now. Last year her dress ripped when she tripped on her way down from a parade wagon. A bunch of people in town began donating money to her for a new one.¡±


    ¡°She has an agreeable personality. People are drawn to that,¡± Anax noted.


    ¡°Well it¡¯s not agreeable to me. Ugh, she can stay afloat by just being her stupid self doing nothing,¡± huffed Patience. The wagon paused on a stubborn cobblestone and was violently jerked into motion again. She sighed, ¡°and here I am, making things work by myself. I¡¯m an outsider. Few seek my company. Few want anything to do with me.¡±


    ¡°You have me now,¡± said Anax. Patience grumbled, unwilling to admit she did enjoy having Anax¡¯s company. To be able to speak to another daily was something she sorely missed.


    They passed a closed gate of a lot. Patience recalled when this lot belonged to her father. As a child, he would walk her to school in the mornings and he would be in his atelier until class let out. She would then spend the afternoon by her father¡¯s side, working on essays and equations while he did his work. Once it neared dinnertime, the two would set off back home. When her father decided to retire, he sold his studio and parcel to a mechanic and took all of his equipment to set up shop at home in their yard, only taking the rare commission or project of personal friends. Noises of machinery and metal rang from behind the fence. Patience missed the time when it was quiet and serene in the lot.


    Before they left town, Patience bought two oranges from a cart. Across the bridge, she lounged under a budding cherry tree and began to snack. It seemed that Anax¡¯s eye was calming down at last. The orb settled above her cheek, staring at her fingers peeling the fruit.


    ¡°Did you enjoy the trip into town?¡± asked Patience, chucking torn peels into a bush.


    ¡°Very much. I did not know people came in so many shapes and colors. Particularly the general store keeper, I¡¯ve not known humans to be as dark as he.¡±


    ¡°Have you seen humans before?¡±


    ¡°Only ones that ventured into our forest. Not many. The closest I¡¯ve ever seen one was a second-born.¡±


    ¡°So like me? The human was a host?¡±


    ¡°The donor. Yes. But this second-born took over the human completely and had enveloped them in his body.¡±


    ¡°Like when you wrap around me?¡±


    ¡°As so,¡± said Anax. Patience yelped in surprise as Anax¡¯s mist formed a cocoon around her. Ropes of silvery white coalesced and gave form to his own body, a hulking fog bundling her torso and limbs, arm over arm, leg over leg. He was a glove and she a hand, only this glove was the master. Anax stood their legs up. Patience panicked having lost control. She flexed her limbs only to meet heavy resistance, like pushing against immovable sacks of sand. She was floating a couple feet off the ground, held up by the solid smoky frame of the creature she wore on her head.


    ¡°All right! I get it! Put me down! Please!¡± gasped the girl. Anax reclined and his body vaporized nearly instantaneously, leaving only a few wisps languishing over Patience¡¯s shoulders and back. He remained silent as Patience caught her breath.


    Still slightly shaken, Patience made a deliberate decision to not address what had just transpired. It was something she would have to accept. He could do this at any time. She should be thankful he did not insist upon it. A foggy coil lifted a jeweled citrine cluster to her lips.


    ¡°See? I can move us around. Needn¡¯t rely on you always,¡± said Anax quite pleased with himself. Patience quivered and forced down the rest of the orange. She stowed the second fruit in her wagon to save for another day.


    ¡°How do others of your species get their hosts anyway?¡± babbled the girl.


    ¡°Sometimes we help our first-deceased family members find a life-donor.¡±


    Thoughts of hulking monsters kidnapping poor unsuspecting humans crackled in her mind. She gulped.


    ¡°Normally just deer or wolves, on very rare occasions stray traveling humans.¡±


    Her mind still sympathized with hapless lost souls forced into physical and mental slavery. It was a terrible thing, but she saw no use in arguing with Anax over it right now. She held her tongue.


    ¡°Other times, if we¡¯ve perished alone, we lay dormant and simply wait for a creature to crawl into our skull.¡±


    ¡°So even a mouse would work?¡±


    ¡°It does not take much,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°But mice don¡¯t live very long.¡±


    ¡°With one of my kind they can.¡±


    ¡°You can prolong your host¡¯s life?¡± asked Patience astounded.


    ¡°We give our life-donors what we can to ensure we both stay alive.¡±


    ¡°I thought you could simply move them away from danger.¡±


    ¡°That and our mist. Look around you, you are mine, I am all over you, surely you are breathing in some of my essence. We¡¯ve never studied it ourselves ¡­ we just know it to be this way; but I suppose it has some preservative and regenerative properties. ¡±


    Patience dropped a handful of peels on to the ground. A feeling of horror welled up in her stomach, but the positive implications currently outweighed it.


    ¡°That¡¯s ¡­ that¡¯s simply amazing,¡± she whispered.


    She shook her head. She had to focus back on her own life. This creature was now a part of it, but she still lived in the same house and had the same obstacles as she did a week ago. For now, Anax only complicated things. However, that was not to say Anax was not useful either. Upon returning home, she had Anax carry buckets of water from the pump, and the barreled reservoir in the kitchen was filled in half the time Patience would have normally taken.

 (3.1) The Bath

    Patience grunted, stretching out her back. She had just finished tilling the soil and retired for a well deserved break. Neat little rows spread before her, ready to accept seeds for lettuce, onions, and tomatoes. The sun remained confident today with only sparse clouds skittering across the sky. She sat on the porch steps, admiring her work on the chicken wire fence around the garden¡¯s perimeter. The wire was always a pain to straighten after being rolled up for the winter; this year she had it tamed without too much frustration.


    ¡°This is your daily life?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t seed a garden everyday, but for the most part yes, all my days I¡¯m mostly working,¡± said Patience, picking dirt from her olive skin. ¡°Day in, day out, I do something to keep this household running.¡±


    ¡°Tiresome.¡±


    ¡°Well what did you do every day in your first life?¡±


    ¡°Hunted. Socialized.¡±


    ¡°See? That¡¯s not all that different.¡±


    ¡°But we moved to different parts of the forests. You stay in one place.¡±


    ¡°Not everyone can be a nomad,¡± said Patience, ¡°People like having a place to call home and go back to.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s a place to go back to, if you never leave it?¡±


    Patience thought for a moment, but failed to come up with a response. She sat silently, staring down at her dirty hands, the bridge of Anax¡¯s snout just in the forefront of her vision.


    ¡°I¡¯ve left it before. I¡¯ve been on a couple trips with my parents to visit the city ¡­ they did mostly work all the time ¡­ to ensure I was well-cared for ¡­¡± She wiped her hands on a cloth draped over the porch railing. ¡°Oh! I almost forgot!¡±


    Patience sprang up and stomped across the planks, throwing open the back door. She kicked off her new galoshes in the mudroom and skipped a short way down the hall to her room. Snatching her purse off the dresser, she opened it and took out a few dollar coins. With them in hand, the girl stepped towards a closed door across the hallway. Slowly, she opened it. Inside, a zoo of animals greeted her with dead glass eyes in the dim light. Anax hummed at the new sight.


    ¡°This was my parents¡¯ room,¡± Patience explained, meandering around stuffed stoats and otters playing around thick logs. The animals were all arranged carefully around a pristinely dressed double bed. Hawks and gamefowl burst forth from plaques hung on the wall. A lynx prowled in the near corner. A badger snarled at the foot of the bed. Atop a dresser adjacent to the shuttered window, glass cloches housed tiny songbirds. ¡°These were my father and mother¡¯s favorite specimens. Originally they were spread throughout the house but after their passing ¡­ I thought I¡¯d put them in here ¡­¡±


    The girl reached into the mouth of the badger, producing a small key. She then pulled out the bottom drawer of the dresser and inserted the key into an almost indistinct hole. Something within the piece of furniture clicked, a panel from its side popped out. Patience removed it and proceeded to extract a wooden box. She set it upon the bed with a soft thump, wisps of dust launched from the quilt.


    ¡°What is this?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°Savings. Most of it I inherited from my parents. Well¡ªeverything you see around you is from them. But I contribute a bit of my earnings every time I can.¡± She dropped her coins onto the mound of bills and similar coins.


    ¡°That is a large sum,¡± the skull remarked.


    ¡°Yes, you never know when you might need it,¡± said Patience, closing up the box. She returned the box, false side, drawer, and key to their previous settings. Leaning back, she gazed over her parents¡¯ room once more before she left. The door closed softly in respect.


    ¡°Now to sow the seeds?¡± drawled Anax.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    She thought she heard a wheeze of air at the nape of her neck. His equivalent of a sigh, she guessed.


    The sun hung high over their heads, signaling noon. Patience wiped the sweat from her brow as she beamed over her work. Each row was marked, sown, and watered. Several mirror shards were hung along the fencing to scare birds away. Clucking in frustration, the chickens observed from the wire fence. The treasures buried beneath a thin layer of soil tempted their beaks.


    ¡°Agriculture is so tedious,¡± Anax quipped.


    ¡°Maybe, but it¡¯s reliable,¡± said Patience, gulping from a canteen of water.


    ¡°When can we eat one of those?¡± A misty tendril pointed to the chickens. They scattered upon sight of Anax¡¯s appendage.


    Patience twisted her mouth, ¡°Only when one of them stops producing eggs.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait!¡±


    ¡°Eggs aren¡¯t a terrible thing, though. I¡¯ll make a quiche for dinner.¡± Quiche was something the Firmins made only for company, but Patience decided to treat herself tonight for a hard day¡¯s work. Granted, she was not totally alone with Anax now present. Perhaps he could have a taste.


    During dinner, Patience noticed the smallest of tendrils extend from the fluttering cowl around her neck. It passed lightly over the crisp golden brown crust and across the warm eggy surface of the quiche. It stopped inside the cut Patience made that exposed layers of egg and spinach. Anax retracted his substitute tongue. He uttered a grunt and left it at that. Patience chuckled to herself.


    Once the night¡¯s dishes were all washed and stowed, Patience eyed the large tin basin leaning against the far wall of the kitchen. She loved this cottage, but at times she wished she lived in town and had access to proper amenities. Flush porcelain toilets and gas heated bathtubs seemed like a dream. She would give herself to the next man she saw to have a toilet in the house if it meant the treks through the yard to get to the outhouse would end.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    She tilted her head down to her collarbone, at least as far as the skull would allow, and sniffed. ¡°I suppose I am due for a bath,¡± she groaned as she stepped in front of the tub. Foggy tendrils reached out to its handles.


    ¡°Allow me,¡± said Anax as he lifted it onto the floor. It fit just in the corner by the water barrel, there was barely room to step around it for Patience to fill pots and kettles.


    ¡°Th-thank you.¡±


    Patience began boiling water in whatever receptacle could be filled and heated on the stove. She stoked the fire to a full burn, more wood at the ready stacked beside the black iron legs. As the first pot came to a bubble, the girl gripped it with two rags. Wordlessly, Anax assisted her once again by carrying the heavier pots. Moreover, he was unperturbed by the searing heat and grabbed the pots straight off the stove. He was proving to be more and more useful.


    Eventually the tub was filled and steaming. Patience undressed and let her braid loose. She stepped into the tub, legs melting into a shifting mirage underwater. Scrunching into a seated position with her knees peeking above the surface, the girl soaked for a few minutes. The warmth flowed across her skin and deep into her muscles. Steam drifted away from the surface in a swaying dance. It took a while before she reached for the cloth and chunk of soap she had earlier placed on the seat of a chair to begin cleaning herself.


    Soapy water splashed over the sides of the basin. No matter. She will just use it to mop the kitchen floor after she was done. Anax watched Patience scrub all over her body with a trained eye. Patience was keenly aware, but focused on completing the task at hand. Once she was clean from the neck down, she paused.


    ¡°Um, do you mind if I dunk my head¡ªyou under the water for a second?¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    Patience slowly dipped her head and the skull. Bubbles loudly escaped the cavity of the skull as she felt Anax¡¯s grip keep himself around her head. However, his grip felt different. She resurfaced to inspect it. His tendril now appeared more solid and slick in appearance, like an aspic.


    ¡°Wh-what happened to you?¡± asked Patience.


    ¡°When the surrounding humidity increases, I naturally solidify.¡±


    Patience knelt in the tub to feel Anax cascade over her back. Normally he would be a misty cape, tips flicking and lapping like candlesmoke . Currently he was a slimy curtain, his oozing edges creeping down her skin. She rested back into the water.


    ¡°I ¡­ will have to get used to that.¡±


    Silently shocked at yet another new trait of this creature, she reached under Anax¡¯s skull to wash her face. Still, one of his worst traits was his presence over her head. It did not facilitate hair washing very well. Her fingers started to clumsily comb through her locks when she felt a viscous coil stop her hand.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Thank you!¡± Patience sputtered.


    ¡°It¡¯s unpleasant when you fumble around the inside of my skull. I will wash your hair and scalp for you.¡±


    ¡°All right then,¡± the girl scoffed playfully. Having less work to do was always appreciated. She reclined in the tub with her legs dangling outside the bath, the waterline lapping at her chin. Shiny swaths of hair floated around her, nearly black in the lone light hanging above the dining table. Anax started with her scalp. It felt strange feeling his jelly-like tendrils run over the burn. He then proceeded raking her hair with several tendrils at once, making short work of it. Slick with soap, her tresses glided smoothly between his ropes. Patience almost felt like a nap, the comforting passes he made through her hair was enough to lull her into a tranquil meditation.


    It was not until the bathwater turned a degree too cool that Patience was forced out. It had been a pleasant evening, but all good things must draw to a close. She wrapped herself in a linen towel and stoked the stove once more, drawing the last ounce of life from the fire.


    ¡°Anax,¡± she said sweetly, ¡°since you¡¯ve been such a gentleman tonight, could I ask you for one more favor?¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Could you possibly take the tub and dump the water outside?¡±


    ¡°Simple enough.¡±


    Patience delighted in having skirted the banal task of bailing out the tub until it was light enough to tip over. She opened the front door, buckling in the blast of cold night air. Although a convenient floor plan, it was difficult to stay warm with the front door opening directly into the kitchen. She ran over to the tub and Anax formed his two thick arms. He was misty in consistency once more, the cold outside air having dispersed any remaining steam in the room. Without so much as a grunt, he hauled the tub and its contents to the door and tossed the dirty water in a clean flourish, not a single drop crossing the threshold back inside.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± she cooed, slamming the door shut.


    Refusing to leave puddles in the kitchen, Patience quickly mopped the floor as she had intended. As with any menial task, her mind began to wander. She had regarded Anax as a gentleman, this creature a man. Initially she did not give her words much thought, but now she wondered if they revealed a shifting perception of the skull. Certainly this creature could think for itself, he had a personality, a history. It did not seem much of a stretch to consider it a man. But then if it were a man, it would make the past hour very awkward. No, he was no more than an enchanted beast. She undid the towel around herself and attempted to dry her hair as best she could. Alas it was to no avail. However, there were still a couple of hours before Patience had to retire for the night, enough time for her hair to dry.


    Feeling lighter than she had in days, a waltz overcame her feet and carried her around her bedroom. Perhaps it was the feeling of accomplishment, getting paid for her dolls, having the garden done in a day, the quiche, or it was the relaxing bath. No matter the reason, she felt good. Stopping in front of her dresser, she lovingly stared at all her earthly possessions, reminiscing about each trinket and bauble. There was the ring her mother struck for her out of an old nail, too small for her fingers now, she kept it in a tray made from a damaged turtle shell her father salvaged. Patience guided her fingertips over the red threads running along the edge of a handkerchief laying beside the tray.


    Memories of a day long past flashed before her mind. She was sitting on her bed, head firmly planted against the chest of a man. Tears streamed down her face, mouth agape to softly wail and breathe in place of her congested nose. It was the day after her mother was interred. Her one closest confidant held fast by her side, the only person left to comfort her in the world. With him, she released the flood of emotions that she had damned up behind immutable expressions between her father¡¯s passing and her mother¡¯s burial, exactly a year apart. He had spent the entire day with her simply providing company in the house. As she bade him farewell come nightfall, he pressed his handkerchief in her hands.


    ¡°Something of mine, should you need a piece of me to cry on while I¡¯m away,¡± he had said.


    Patience rubbed the muslin between her fingers, wondering where her friend was now. As well as she could rely on herself, she ultimately despised being alone. But being with others was tricky, the most difficult part being the search for people one could get along and desire to be with. In a way, she was thankful Anax did not have a worse personality.


    Exhausted, Patience flopped onto her bed. The room was warm enough she did not even bother to dress in her nightgown. She adjusted the old kerosene lamp on her nightstand. Misty tendrils crested and fell over her chest with the weight of a fine silk robe. They gleamed in the lamplight and were almost beautiful. Anax¡¯s vapor stretched around her, investigating her form.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± murmured the girl.


    ¡°Examining. Humans are fascinating!¡±


    ¡°I¡ªsuppose.¡±

 (3.2) Incendiary

    Patience gulped as one of Anax¡¯s tendrils reached down her torso. It prodded gently below her navel and caressed her little mound, teasing about the pubic hair.


    ¡°Strange the places where your species has hair,¡± mused Anax.


    Patience noticed other tendrils lapping over the rest of her body, stroking her limbs and torso. They were more condensed than they had been earlier; each felt like a soft curious finger. Shen then became aware of a pronounced tingling sensation around her loins which drew the brunt of his attention, and hers.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted a human come my second life,¡± the skull chimed gleefully. ¡°How lucky I am to have one as my first donor!¡± His tendril met her gap. Her breaths quickened. She felt her face begin to burn.


    ¡°What¡¯s this? You¡¯re wet here!¡± He slid his tendril against her slit, dragging a bit of fluid deliciously in circles. Patience released a light gasp.


    ¡°This pleases you.¡±


    ¡°I-it feels strange, but ¡­ nice,¡± she admitted beneath heavy eyelids.


    Anax¡¯s tendril thickened and glossed back and forth. At every other pass, Patience squirmed, shifting her hips.


    ¡°This fluid, this heat, your motions. I like it,¡± Anax rumbled. He pressed harder, writhing his appendage rhythmically. Head feeling pleasantly muddled, Patience embraced his molestation. She responded to his touch with soft moans as she flexed into him.


    Anax rubbed his tendril against her with greater force, quicker. Her fluid mixed with his fog, dampening the place between her thighs with slick abandon. Patience felt a pressure in her loins as a heat rose in her core. Anax continued to play.


    ¡°Anax ¡­¡± she breathed. Patience found herself yearning for each slip, each flick. She whimpered to provoke more daubs from the slinking coil. The creature then pressed her mound with great strength, letting his tendril lick the top of her slit. At once a conflagration of pleasure burst from below her waist. Patience panted into the cave of Anax¡¯s skull, hips thrusting, loins pulsing. At the back of her neck she heard Anax hum in satisfaction.


    As the blissful fire seceded and her face cooled down once more, Patience laid there at a loss for words. Her mother taught her how to run the household, work the garden, raise the chickens, use the tools, cook, and sew. Her father ensured she learned the art of dissection, the art of life, to respect nature, to do good by her, to praise her. They instructed their daughter in all the skills she needed to live and appreciate life. Yet, they did not inform her about the ways of the heart nor of the flesh. She only knew what it could produce, how it happened. This new sensation baffled her. Now the warm lull of sleep seeped through her body. Her eyes fluttered until they could open no more.


    In the cool light of dawn, Patience awoke bundled under a throw. She remembered she had fallen asleep last night before putting on her nightgown and that she had slept on top of her covers. Perhaps Anax had reached over to the chair in the far corner of the room and grabbed the blanket from its back. She lifted her head slightly. Indeed the chair sat naked. The abilities of the creature still unsettled her.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Patience tilted her head to stare at the ceiling. She did not want to make mention of what transpired the previous evening just yet. She swallowed her anxiety and sat up. Reaching her hands up to the nape of her neck, she realized Anax¡¯s skull obstructed her ability to braid.


    ¡°You wish to braid your hair as you had it before?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°Um, yes ¡­¡± mumbled Patience.


    Taking initiative, tendrils formed at the girl¡¯s nape and began separating strands of hair. Patience mentally stumbled again, then figured he had picked up this skill from her as well. Anax was quite deft at it. Strand wound over strand, fitting neatly into place. However, the feeling of his cool soft tendrils against her skin brought Patience¡¯s mind back to the events several hours prior. She had to address it.


    ¡°Anax ¡­ what happened last night was ¡­¡±


    ¡°I did not know humans could behave in such ways!¡± chimed Anax, grabbing a ribbon from the dresser top to finish his work.


    ¡°It¡¯s unnatural. I¡¯m a host and y-you¡¯re just a p¡ª¡±


    ¡°A parasite?¡± Anax sneered, vitriol pooling at the back of his jaw. ¡°I am more than that. I am the dominant being here.¡±


    Patience felt her insides ring hollow. She got up and began dressing.


    ¡°You still need me to even be here,¡± she grumbled.


    It was an awkward breakfast of toast and canned pork and beans. The overcast sky provided a paltry amount of light, painting the kitchen in washed out shades. Anax remained silent. Patience was not sure if it would be better if he talked. She simply ate in peace despite the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions careening through her head. As she washed the dishes, Anax finally spoke.


    ¡°You¡¯re mind is restless.¡±


    Patience¡¯s gaze followed the dirty water draining away from the sink all the way down a small chute leading through the wall to the outside of the house. Once the water evacuated, she pushed down a little door of glazed tile, closing the chute.


    ¡°Can you blame me? After what you did,¡± she said, wiping down her plate.


    ¡°But it pleased you.¡±


    ¡°It¡ªit¡¯s a fairly private thing¡ªdown there, and all matters associated with it.¡± She rubbed a towel over the ceramic and continued long after the surface was dry. ¡°It¡¯s an intimate affair¡ªthat only those who are really close and in a special relationship are privy to.¡±


    ¡°Are we not intimate? We¡¯ve touched minds! You are my life-donor! Is our relationship not special?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes. But it¡¯s different. I¡¯m a human and you¡¯re a ¡­ beast.¡±


    ¡°Do not compare me to some slovenly animal!¡± Anax roared. His voice beat into the back of Patience¡¯s neck. She winced, nearly dropping the plate before she stowed it in the cupboard.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m a human and you¡¯re not, Anax.¡±


    ¡°What difference does that make? I can change my form at will! I¡¯ve become more humanoid!¡±


    ¡°Still, it¡¯s not the same! It¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°What does it matter if we both enjoyed it?¡±


    Patience paused. Anax was not some dumb animal. He was correct in that regard. This was not the same as those lurid tales of farmboys copulating with their cattle. Anax was an enchanted beast no more. Disregarding appearance and physiology, he may as well be a man. Still, the rational parts of her brain objected. Deep down in a more primal pocket, the worry of what Anax could do next grew. Even deeper down, a spark of morbid curiosity flashed.

 (4.1) First Time

    The gray haze of morning began to burn off, the sun finally breaking through the cold. Anax had remained reticent for most of the previous day after breakfast, not that Patience minded. She had harvested some onions, garlic, and spinach that were sown last fall in the greenhouse. Quietly going about mundane tasks made her feel almost normal again. Yet by the end of the day, Patience had a sneaking suspicion Anax was almost pouting. Anax still chose to be silent this morning. No matter, Patience wanted to push all thoughts of him to the side for now. Out in the garden, she inspected the rows of soil and fencing for any signs of tampering from the chickens.


    ¡°Oh right! I should check if the hens need their wings clipped.¡±


    She made her way to the chicken coop in the shadow of the house, pulling her coat closer. The hens had barely begun their day, not that Patience blamed them in this brisk weather. The girl pulled up the lid on the side to see they were all still in their nesting boxes. At each compartment, she lifted up the bird, extended their wings to examine their feathers, and placed them back in before taking any present eggs. Come the last box, Patience heard the distinct sound of peeping.


    ¡°Ahh! It seems you were due today, Rosamund! Let¡¯s have a look at the little ones!¡± She gingerly picked up the hen, finding five tiny calicoed chicks huddled in a fluffy wad. The girl could not help but feel her heart flutter. They were most endearing. ¡°Congratulations!¡±


    Patience returned the mother to her charges and closed the nesting box lid. ¡°Great! In several weeks I can trade in any males at Mr. Wells¡¯.¡±


    ¡°Mmm, young animals taste the best,¡± smacked the skull.


    ¡°Lamb, I¡¯ll give you that. What, do your young taste any good?¡± Patience darkly joked.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they taste just fine to wolves and bears.¡±


    ¡°Oh ¡­ I¡¯m sorry ¡­ I didn¡¯t know anything actually hunted your kind.¡±


    ¡°Only the young and the weak. But they¡¯re usually sufficiently protected. It is just life¡¯s way. We hold no grudges. We can always breed more.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ¡­ harsh,¡± Patience said flatly.


    ¡°Realistic,¡± Anax corrected.


    ¡°So you feel like talking again?¡± the girl teased.


    He did not respond.


    Barring that last exchange, the remainder of the day went smoothly. Patience directed her focus on laundry and spent her energy beating the rugs. Once dinner was had and every dish cleaned and stowed, Patience was able to take in the peaceful evening. The fireplace in the parlor flickered at her stoking, flames stretching against a sooty brick backdrop. Bending over the hearth, the girl sighed contentedly. It was almost as if everything was just as they were a couple of weeks ago. However, the weight of Anax¡¯s skull was not to be ignored. His silence went on long enough for Patience¡¯s taste.


    ¡°Hey, is-is anything the matter? You¡¯ve been so talkative, but now ¡­¡±


    ¡°This bucolic life! It¡¯s so banal!¡± Anax erupted, ¡°We should go into town again! That was fun!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to go back for a while.¡±


    ¡°Please! I¡¯m used to roaming, hunting, sparring¡ªIt¡¯s hard for me to stay in one place!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re free to find another host!¡± Patience growled.


    ¡°No. You¡¯re fine as a donor. You just need a push. Here, I¡¯ll take us into town!¡± At once Anax formed his body, suspending Patience in his core. She shrieked in alarm.


    ¡°No you will not! People will see and then a whole lot of trouble will come our way!¡± she yelled.


    Anax dissolved into a misty cape once more, dropping Patience to the ground. The landing sent a shock through her shins, causing her knees to buckle. A displeased snarl ripped across the base of Patience¡¯s skull.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m not some adventurer going to the ends of the Earth hunting for treasure to entertain you!¡± she snapped, growing annoyed. ¡°But you¡¯re stuck with me, so you will have to accept that!¡±


    The sofa squeaked a few inches backwards as Patience sat down in a huff, her displeasure punctuated by the harried crossing of her legs. Reaching over to the side table, the girl picked up the book she had begun reading during the winter. Pages flipped open and Patience searched for where she had last read. A disapproving hiss raked her ears. The girl ignored it, focusing harder on the text partially hidden by the skull. She lifted the book straight in front of her eyes for optimal viewing. Concentrated on the pale leaves, Patience failed to notice the tendrils forming just shy of touching her skin.


    ¡°I was looking forward to so much in my first life. If I can¡¯t explore the outside world, I¡¯ll just have to explore you!¡± Anax darkly purred. His mist crept around the girl¡¯s neck and to her collarbone. The effervescent edge lifted the fabric of her blouse. She felt the lightest draft flow across her bosom.


    ¡°Must you? Right now?¡± Patience grumbled.


    Her words fell on deaf ears as Anax began to rub and search with his tendrils. As his fog met her skin, Patience could not help but give into his soft touch. It was a stark contrast to the confining cold pressure she had felt encased in his body just moments ago. Perhaps some animal part of the girl¡¯s brain was yearning for comfort after that shock, but every stroke, twirl, pat, and any other motion he made felt pleasurable. She was losing herself in his caress. Guilt welled within her. She should not be enjoying the advances of this monster.


    Anax continued to prod, focusing on recently discovered grounds. A tendril slinked into the girl¡¯s pantaloons, winding to the opening in her drawers. Patience flinched as he touched upon her sex, and let the book slip from her hands. He withdrew the tendril revealing it to be slick with her fluids. She felt her blood rise in embarrassment. Low chuckles emanated from the back of Patience¡¯s head. Her inner walls felt hot and began to ache for attention.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Anax growled, ¡°More! I want more!¡±


    Taking that as a warning, Patience held her breath to brace herself. For good reason. Anax formed arms to pull her blouse down and grapple her breasts, drawing pained winces from between her teeth. Then one hand departed to reach his true quarry. Pulling off her pants and drawers, he greedily inserted two large fingers into her. Patience squirmed against his digits, feeling herself sliding around them.


    ¡°Anax! What are you doing?¡± she gasped.


    ¡°Truly making you mine!¡±


    He flexed his fingers, leaving Patience panting. Delighting in her response, Anax manifested a body behind Patience on the sofa. She felt his broad chest, stalwart and snuggly fitted against her back. Effortlessly, he lifted her onto his newly materialized thighs and spread her legs over his knees. Anax forced Patience to gaze down for his own viewing pleasure. Never once did he let up twiddling his fingers.


    A few ropey tendrils emerged from his groin and together coalesced into a thick member. It snaked a short way up to Patience¡¯s gap. Anax extracted his fingers, a wet film coating them. As he prodded her entrance with his cock, he smeared the slick around her flesh.


    ¡°Anax!¡±


    Only encouraged by the sound of his name, Anax slid into her with a feral grunt. She choked at the pain. Tendrils shot around Patience¡¯s wrists and bound her hands to his shoulders. Wrapping his arms around Patience¡¯s thighs, he carried her off the sofa, claws clicking on the hardwood floors. Still connected, he stormed into her room.


    Anax fell upon the bed and began to ravage her. Claws dug into the girl¡¯s chest and torso. His hips bucked furiously against her backside. He had his skull pressed firmly against the headboard, Patience directly under him, her top half suspended by his many ropes. All the girl could do was watch her breasts pass between tendril and claw, compressed and deformed in his strong grip. She whimpered at the stings flashing from her chest and loins. At this point he felt more beast than man.


    Growls reverberated behind Patience¡¯s ears, tickling the nerves in her neck. As Anax continued, the pain seceded slightly. If he had started off more gently, instead of immediately pounding into her, Patience could see herself enjoying this more. She held her breath. Two days ago she would have never considered that.


    Anax whipped their heads up, veering Patience¡¯s train of thought to redirect it to the searing sensation at the pit of her pelvis, his shaft sliding between her folds with doubled fervor. Patience yelped as he wrenched her breast with his right claw, his left planted into the bed to support them both as he plowed away. She was helpless, subject to his whims alone.


    The feeling of him everywhere around her was nearly too much to handle. It was suffocating. Capitulating, she held mouthfuls of breath at a time. Patience screwed her eyes shut. Seeing was pointless as her vision continued to be jostled. Her knees burned as they were rubbed into the quilt. In her mind, she imagined this feeling better, like that time just two nights ago. Currently she only wished it to end so she could catch her breath.


    ¡°A-Anax,¡± she coughed.


    ¡°Yes! Call my name, my Pet!¡± chuffed the skull.


    With one powerful thrust, he shoved Patience down into the bed. A gruff groan exploded around her head. Her eyes shot wide open as she felt Anax bury his cock into her cavity, attempting to sheath it right to its base. Plunged to its deepest, a gush of tepid fluid filled her. Silenced by a mix of curious desire and shame, Patience could do naught but curl up underneath Anax¡¯s massive frame. She felt exposed, and oddly disappointed.


    When Anax withdrew himself, a small streak of blood gleamed on his shaft. He shifted himself and Patience over so that they rested comfortably on their sides, Patience still pressed to his chest. Her hand crept to her middle, holding it in slight pain.


    ¡°That ¡­ was your first time ¡­¡± breathed Anax.


    ¡°Y-yes,¡± Patience replied. Anax relinquished his tight hold on the girl, freeing her from him. She limply rubbed her sore wrists.


    ¡°I ¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Patience¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have taken that from you. Not like that.¡±


    Her heart beat slightly faster.


    ¡°I got too excited.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ¡­ fine,¡± Patience whispered. Her eyes began to sting. She did not understand why. They remained on the bed a short while, the silence only interrupted by Patience¡¯s hitched breaths as a middling pain flared within her. All she wanted was to sleep this night away. As the pangs of pain ebbed, it seemed her dreams were within reach. Her eyelids grew heavier as she succumbed to the stillness enveloping her.


    ¡°You may take me off, if you wish.¡±


    Clear and firm, his voice cut through the sleepy haze of her temples. Patience held still, her eyes as wide as her lids could allow. The moment seemed to be suspended in time. No words formed on her lips, nothing passed through Patience¡¯s mind. No one knew how much time passed before Patience slowly shifted her arms up towards her head. Fingers clutched the base of the skull. There were no smoking coils to stop her. With a slight push, the skull came off of her head. The girl sat up, a monstrous skull held between her hands. Rising, she placed it on the chair in the corner and left the room to clean herself.


    Dressed in her nightgown, Patience paused in front of the tall mirror in the hallway. If it had been another girl, many would say she had just lost her innocence. Searching in the glass, Patience Firmin no longer stared back with the twinkle in her eye that she had in her childhood. No. Patience had lost her innocence years ago when she buried her parents.


    Caring for two elderly individuals when she was barely eighteen took a toll on the girl. Obligated to stay at home and assist them, she shied away from town activities early in her adolescence. She stopped going to picnics. She never went to dances. Then again, perhaps that was for the best. Remaining indoors shielded her from the cold stares and grimaces of young men in town seeking brides. A hand lifted to the base of her burn by her brow. It glared an angry shade of rose.


    The moon hung low in the sky as Patience realized how early she had finished dinner. She brewed a cup of tea to preemptively assuage the pain building in her scalp. Currently it was no more than an itch, but after what transpired, Patience readied herself for a storm. She picked up the clothes Anax had scattered on the floor. Under her blouse was the book that she had dropped. No longer in the mood to read, she placed it back onto the side table for another night. Standing in the center of the rug, front towards the warmth of the hearth, her eyes drifted to the beasts frozen in time surrounding her.


    She rubbed at her forehead, the first time she was able to in days. Anax was now a simple skull once more. She could store him away in her father¡¯s workshop, a place she had not visited in years despite it being just behind the greenhouse in the backyard. A shiver crawled up her spine as she pictured a mouse scurrying under Anax, giving life to him anew. A creeping fear of meeting Anax face to face and staring into the floating orb of his eye crested over the girl¡¯s heart.


    Patience shook her head and flashed a sad smile at the unmoving animals around her. This was what her life was about: keeping up the home her parents gave her, keeping her parents¡¯ memories alive. Anax only served as a bump in the road of her planned course, a distraction. It was time to come back down to reality. She should be thankful that he gave her permission to separate from him.


    Tea cup empty and prepared for bed, Patience nestled into her quilt. She laid her head onto her silk pillow, reveling in the cool fabric against her scalp. The pain remained a dull tingle. She had been certain it was going to be worse. Accepting this fortunate break, the girl let sleep overcome her. Before her last blink, she stole a glance at the large skull sitting on her chair bathed in blue moonlight.

 (4.2) His Return

    A soft sunbeam kissed Patience¡¯s forehead, coaxing her eyes to peel open. Refusing to leave her warm bed immediately, she stretched under her quilt. Her head fell to the side and met the gaze of the empty sockets of the skull on her chair. A small sliver of her mind expected it to rattle to life, but of course it did no such thing. The girl sat up to begin her usual morning routine.


    After tending to the chickens, the garden, and breakfast, Patience slumped her shoulders when she checked the calendar hanging in the kitchen. Today was marked for cleaning out the outhouse. Slowly shuffling outside, the girl steeled herself for the nauseating task.


    Patience retrieved the post hole digger and wheelbarrow from the shed. Arriving at the outhouse, she sighed and heaved her final lament before throwing the door open. She removed the bucket of lime and the catalog missing half its pages, placing them several feet away on the stone path. With a forceful pull, the girl slid the bench from the slot holding it in place over the pit. Leaning the bench against the outer wall of the outhouse, she took the last breath of clean air she would have for a while and started to excavate with the post hole digger.


    Digging. Excrement. Digging. Humans really were just sophisticated animals. With the tortuous present being of no interest to her, Patience fraternized with her thoughts. Last night felt so surreal. The skin on her arms pimpled, remembering the contact. Flashes of Anax atop her flickered in her mind. An unsophisticated beast, foreign to the ways of proper human society. They were intelligent, they could learn. Humans were once feral in their infancy. Possibly, the only thing separating their species was a matter of decorum. A large clod of lime and shit dropped, bursting on the ground. It snapped Patience away from her musings.


    It took three whole trips of the wheelbarrow to the very edge of the Firmin property line before the pit was acceptably empty. Patience could not wash her arms and legs enough at the water pump despite being prepared with soap. She laid on the front lawn exhausted and reeking, still shuddering at the recollected sight of the quantities of redworm in the manure. Staring up at the clear blue sky, she briefly wondered what Anax would have thought of the ordeal.


    ¡°I could have used his strength ¡­¡± sighed the girl. She absolutely could use his assistance now as she stood and dragged herself indoors to prepare a bath.


    The sun slowly descended from its zenith when Patience realized she had missed lunch. The water was tepid the moment she stepped into the full tub as she had decided to bathe outside. The thought of water dirtied by manure going on the kitchen floor made her skin crawl. Luckily, the day was a comfortable temperature. Patience silently thanked the privacy screen made of four trellises covered with ivy that was set in front of the pump. There was little chance anyone on the road could glimpse her nudity.


    She continued to scrub at her skin, ensuring any trace of dirt or manure was abolished with soap. When her skin became red, she slid into the water, hair drifting in a mass around her face. Listening to the light birdsong above her drew her away from unpleasant manure-filled thoughts. The white pine cast dappled shadows over her body with its feathery branches. A cool breeze swept over the water¡¯s surface, making little ripples. This was her life, getting by day to day, hard work ever piling under her belt. Its scant rewards being a bath or a seat next to a roaring fire, book in hand. Patience freed an exasperated sigh from deep inside her lungs. At least she could easily tip the water out onto the lawn.


    Once thoroughly clean, Patience kneaded dumplings at the kitchen table in preparation for dinner. She enjoyed patting the dough with flour and feeling it between her fingers. As a child, her mother would give her a small ball of dough to play with as she cooked. She remembered her warm face peering down at her, browned and wrinkled from long days in the sun. Then a flick of her thumb to clean off spots of flour clinging to Patience¡¯s button nose. Another cherished memory tucked back into the library of the girl¡¯s mind.


    Completed, the dumplings rested in a pan on the table. The soft sound of water cleaning doughy hands filled the kitchen. Despite having her life to herself again, Patience could not help but think of the skull. Certainly the past few days with the creature were challenging. She had found her heart racing more times in Anax¡¯s company than she ever remembered during any other period in her life.The time with him was unpredictable. But it was indeed an adventure.


    Settling in the parlor, she studied the bookshelf behind the armchair. For years, her ticket to adventure was found in the leaves of these dusty tomes. Most of these titles were her father¡¯s history texts. He kept his scientific collection in his atelier. The parlor was for leisure, and history was his hobby. A few books on the shelf were Patience¡¯s proud possessions: adventure novels. She loved diving into them to experience the thrill of a new expedition, even though she had read through these campaigns numerous times over. But today the siren¡¯s song of fantastic journeys across oceans and through time was silent. The most fantastic thing of all was sitting in her bedroom chair. She did not have to interpret printed words on a page to hallucinate visions. It was real. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Her mind kept meandering to Anax. The skull was unquestionably fascinating, but all amounts of novelty aside, she felt a small tug of sympathy for it. This was a creature far flung from his home with nothing familiar to comfort him. Patience could only imagine how she would handle herself in the same situation. Perhaps with a bit of guidance, he would have done better. He needed boundaries. Not knowing why she hurried, the girl ran to her room, confirming he still rested on her chair.


    ¡°I¡¯m a fool,¡± she said, turning back towards the front of the house. She then busied herself with cleaning before deeming it an appropriate time to start dinner.


    Patience sat by the stove watching the dumplings turn and spin in the bubbling soup. This was her life. Her eyes wandered yet again to the hallway leading to her room. Clearing her throat to catch her own attention, she glanced over at the crusty remains of the last loaf from the bakery on the counter. Her father loved dipping stale bread into soup. She pictured his mustache bouncing up and down as he chewed on the bread, little beads of soup collecting in his whiskers. All of a sudden Patience felt very alone. She gazed at the table meant to seat four. A sole lamp hung over the wooden surface, casting a spotlight on her desolation.


    As the sun made its exit, the soup was ready to serve. Patience ladeled a generous helping into a bowl and set it on the table with a clunk. Her spoon tinkled against the glazed rim. Every klink, slurp, and splash seemed to echo in the empty kitchen. The soup and dumplings were satisfying, particularly on a chilly night, but it was missing the spice of company.


    More images of family dinners together flipped through her head. Occasionally her parent¡¯s various friends and acquaintances joined them, but mostly it was just the family of three. Although not every meal was consumed in lively conversation, a quiet joy was always present in her mother and father¡¯s eyes. Patience felt her heart ache. She slumped over her meal, limply dipping a crust of bread into the broth, chewing mindlessly on a piece of carrot. The single light above her burned steadily, seemingly extending a warm pitiful pat on her head. At twenty-five, this was her life.


    The empty bowl and spoon clacked hollow against the sink. Pivoting around, Patience braced her back to the basin, eyes falling over the kitchen. She exhaled sharply. Trembling fingers reached her temple, tracing little circles. She tugged at her braid and smoothed her pants. Nostrils flaring, the girl marched to her room.


    Cold against her touch, Patience ran her hands over the snout of the skull. Her fingers wrapped around its side, lifting it off the wooden chair. Holding his face up to hers, she stared into the skull. Refusing to let her eyes stray from the vacant gaze, she walked to the parlor and sat in the center of the sofa. In the dancing light of the fireplace, she shut her eyes, taking a deep breath. Slowly, she placed the skull over her head.


    The jolt felt through her neck affirmed their connection. Patience stood, head bowed, eyes closed, breaths calm. A familiar tickle of mist feathered down her back. A rasp barely distinguishable from the crackling fire kissed her ears.


    ¡°You put me back on?¡± whispered Anax.


    ¡°Tell me,¡± said Patience as she sat on the sofa, ¡°what do your kind do with their second lives?¡±


    Pausing a moment, Anax pondered before he responded. ¡°Most simply go back to their families. They find it difficult to let go, so they return.¡±


    Patience mulled with her knees drawn up to her chest. The last remnants of her father¡¯s work stared down at her, the glow of the fire lit sparks in their glass eyes. Her parents were her world. Ever since they passed, all Patience did was maintain the life they had lived together. She had never gone to see the ocean nor the mountains. She had relied on her parents to bring the world to her, through exotic game to be stuffed, through the museums they took her to visit in the city, through the books they read her. More importantly, they left her with skills, knowledge, and a home. They gave her everything she needed to tread out on her own path and gave her a place to return to. Yet she was here. She had always been here.


    ¡°What was your past life like?¡±


    Anax remained silent for a minute and then replied, ¡°I grew up with my mother, father, and two sisters. When I came of age, it was time for me to leave them. So I did. I found a band of other bachelor males and joined. Eventually they left one by one to start families of their own. Until only I remained.¡±


    Family. Patience wanted to keep her parent¡¯s legacy alive, doing everything she could to keep her home as it was when they left it, a past life. Tears fell from Patience¡¯s face as an ache of realization slowly crept through her.


    ¡°Do you remember how you died?¡±


    ¡°There was a snowstorm on the mountain. I couldn¡¯t see very well. I lost my footing. I fell.¡± Anax paused. ¡°I broke.¡±


    ¡°And you were all alone,¡± whispered Patience. Toiling day after day to keep the fires of a past life burning was not what her parents wanted for her. It was not what they intended the moment they brought her into their home and hearts. They wanted her to make a life for herself. She was their legacy.


    Patience held a hand up to Anax¡¯s skull. Warm fingers stroked his mandible. He met her hand with his own, cupping it gently.


    ¡°Even if I awoke back in my homeland, I would have little to welcome me,¡± he said. ¡°So I¡¯m glad I ended up here.¡±


    Patience¡¯s mouth wrinkled into a smile underneath weepy red eyes.


    ¡°Well then, let¡¯s make this second life worth living,¡± said the girl.

 (5) Bleed

    Patience slept soundly the night she returned Anax to her head. He made sure she had a comfortable rest. However, Patience awoke to a roiling pain in her abdomen. Slightly alarmed by the break in her normal routine, Anax remained silent. The girl bolted through the hallway and out the mudroom. Her feet bounded over the cold hard pavers and dewy grass. Flinging open the door of the outhouse, she lifted her nightgown to confirm what she feared. It was the beginning of her monthly bleed.


    Returned to the mudroom, Patience stood bottomless. She tied a padded cotton sling to the belt of her drawers, all the while explaining the function to Anax. He listened attentively as she straddled the cotton sling, adjusting its position before she was satisfied with it.


    ¡°Essentially the unused lining of my womb is sloughing off. It¡¯s awful,¡± groaned Patience, pulling up her underwear. In a basket kept on a shelf were similar strips of cloth that she quickly counted. There were enough to last Patience two to three days before she would have to cycle through them. Of course she washed the cloth immediately when they were well saturated. She just hated how starchy freshly dried ones felt.


    ¡°Humans are such a mystery,¡± Anax quibbled. Seethes escaped through Patience¡¯s clenched teeth as she doubled over in agony. She flew outside to the outhouse again.


    ¡°There can also be a lot of pain involved,¡± Patience wheezed on the bench. ¡°Ugh. I¡¯d trade this for that night you laid me in a heartbeat. At least that ended after an hour or so.¡±


    ¡°I¡ªcaused you pain?¡±


    ¡°You handled me so roughly. But yes. Pain. Do you feel pain?¡± Patience snipped, slightly annoyed. She had to make him understand.


    ¡°In my second life, only when I make myself firm. Should I feel considerable pain, I¡¯ll recoil into a fog and dissipate to heal.¡±


    ¡°All right, then. That¡¯s kind of how I felt. I was recoiling whenever you clawed into me and¡ªplowed into me,¡± she mumbled.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was lost in my own pleasure. Didn¡¯t notice your feelings.¡± Anax patted her shoulder with a soft tendril. Patience reached her hand over and gave the coil a sharp pinch. He uttered a strange low squeal.


    ¡°You felt that, right?¡± Patience asked.


    ¡°Yes. It was unpleasant.¡±


    ¡°Payback,¡± huffed the girl. ¡°Anyway, you can¡¯t just do that out of nowhere, let alone go that hard when I¡¯m not ready.¡±


    ¡°Males are always expected to show strength and dominance,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Well, you can ease up a bit with that. There aren¡¯t any of your kind around here to pass judgement¡ª¡± Suddenly Patience grabbed her abdomen and groaned, cursing her biology.


    ¡°This happens every month, you said?¡± Anax asked.


    ¡°Y-yeah.¡±


    ¡°You poor creatures. And all this for the sake of reproduction.¡±


    ¡°Right. And I heard childbirth is worst of all,¡± the girl huffed.


    ¡°My kind lay egg sacs, small at first. They grow as the pup inside does, until they break the membrane and hatch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m envious.¡± Patience winced. She pressed a fist firmly below her navel.


    ¡°That helps with the pain?¡±


    ¡°For me, yes.¡± Wobbling upright, she cleaned herself with shaky arms. This month¡¯s session was off to a terrible start. Patience drew a deep breath as she hobbled out into the sunlight. Tears pricked at her eyes. ¡°Tea and a hot water bottle usually help too.¡±


    ¡°To the kitchen,¡± said Anax, materializing his body. He lifted Patience in his arms and made his way inside. To Patience¡¯s surprise, Anax began preparing water to boil by himself unprompted. He lit the stove, filled a kettle, and took out the tin with Patience¡¯s preferred blend that he recognized from days before. Nestled in his chest, she watched him work. At the back of her mind, the girl could not help but wonder if this was his apology to her.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the hot water bottle?¡± he asked. Patience feebly pointed to a lower cupboard. With a lone tendril, Anax pulled the door open, exposing stacks of old pans and baking tins. Nearly hidden behind them was a stoneware jug molded to appear to be laying on its side. Anax pulled it out, inspecting the curious container.


    ¡°You fill it where that cork is, not the false neck,¡± mumbled Patience, ¡°See? And it¡¯s got a flat side so you can lay it on your body.¡± Anax made an appreciative noise and removed the cork, setting the bottle next to a cup laden with ground leaves, both ready to receive water.


    Dazed from the pain, Patience was still in disbelief. She glanced down at the thick arms holding her up. It felt nice. Suddenly she noticed a few tendrils crowding near her waist. Before she could tell him off, she realized the coils were massaging her abdomen. He was trying to soothe her.


    A gurgling stream filled the two awaiting vessels. Anax formed more tendrils to bring everything over to the parlor. He situated himself and Patience onto the sofa. Tendrils brought all the available pillows around them, making a plush nest. The tea passed into Patience¡¯s hands and she began sipping meekly. A languid tendril glided the hot water bottle over her clothed abdomen like an iron on a wrinkled shirt.


    ¡°Are you being so kind because you feel guilt?¡± murmured Patience.


    Anax was silent a moment before he responded. ¡°You know, when you took me off I was prepared to slumber indefinitely. Didn¡¯t know who or what would spark me alive again, or when I would awaken¡ªif I ever would.¡±


    ¡°You ¡­ felt that badly about what you did?¡± Patience¡¯s breath hitched. She took another sip of tea.


    ¡°For my kind, our first mating marks a juvenile¡¯s step into adulthood. Usually it is done more gently, as a soft farewell to the simpler times when we had adults watching over us.¡± Anax sighed. ¡°I made a mess of things. I suppose this is why most second-borns take over their donors completely. They don¡¯t have another will to mind¡ªto nurture.¡±


    Patience reached behind them to grab the throw. She laid it over them, trapping the heat from the hot water bottle.


    ¡°A deer or wolf is simple enough, but humans are so much more. I said at the beginning I wanted a teacher. Learning about humans means learning how to get along with them too.¡± Anax allowed the girl to sink further into his body, his fog giving way to her form until she was completely and comfortably cradled.


    Daring to broach the topic, Patience gulped, ¡°Do second-borns normally lay with their hosts?¡±


    ¡°It is not spoken of. Any sexual gratification is sought with others of our kind. But what to do when one is all by himself ¡­¡±


    ¡°You know ¡­ if you weren¡¯t so manic, I might have enjoyed it,¡± Patience muttered.


    ¡°You don¡¯t lie?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not lying, it¡¯s the truth. It¡¯s true I enjoyed the time you first touched me. I can¡¯t deny it any longer,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Hmm good!¡± Anax rumbled.


    ¡°But thank you for making the tea. And filling the hot water bottle,¡± said Patience. The ligneous aroma drifted up her nose, seemingly to gingerly stroke her brain. The scent itself calmed her as she waited for her stomach to absorb the rest of the tea¡¯s benefits.


    ¡°Why did you put me back on?¡±


    It was Patience¡¯s turn to pause in thought.


    ¡°I suppose ¡­¡± she began. The hot water bottle continued massaging her. ¡°You¡¯ve started to grow on me. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s by your biochemical persuasion or I¡¯m just becoming insane.¡± She chuckled, a bit drunk on pain and arboraceous scent. ¡°I need company ¡­ and I could have worse.¡±


    Anax emitted a noise that Patience imagined him to utter while smirking. But she doubted if he could have ever smirked even in his first life.


    ¡°I also didn¡¯t want you taking over some other poor thing. Or if I¡¯d have to face you again. I certainly can¡¯t protect myself from you on my own,¡± rambled Patience.


    ¡°So better I stay with you, then,¡± Anax concluded.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s my duty to keep you contained ¡­¡± she teased, voice trailing off as she finished the cup and set it on the side table. The girl then brought the throw close around her, placing a hand over the hot water bottle. Anax withdrew his tendril and allowed her to rest.


    When Patience awoke again, she was no longer snuggled on the sofa. Instead the dusty panes of the window in the mudroom met her bleary gaze. The girl jolted upright. Anax¡¯s arms kept her steady so as not to fall off the wooden chair they were seated upon. Peering down, Patience saw her nightgown raised around her waist, her bottom half naked. A misty tendril led out from her gap.


    ¡°What are you DOING?¡± she shouted.


    ¡°You bled through that cotton strap. I¡¯m cleaning you up,¡± Anax stated. In the corner was the soiled sling floating in a bucket of blood-stained water. Patience calmed herself, indeed she could barely feel him. He clearly was not in one of his moods. However, she did notice his presence inside as he began to withdraw his coil. To her horror, a very large blood clot emerged stuck around his tendril. The girl paled.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Wh¡ª¡± she uttered.


    ¡°You said your bleeds are due to your womb lining coming off. I¡¯m removing it in one sweep.¡±


    Speechless, Patience could only watch as Anax opened the back door with another tendril and skillfully flung the debris far out into the yard by the treeline on the edge of the property. Had the blood not come from her, Patience might have laughed at the absurdity. Might have.


    ¡°There, all clean.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°I¡ªreally ¡­¡± the girl failed to find any words. She sat there for a moment in Anax¡¯s foggy lap. ¡°Clean yourself off.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already clean,¡± Anax huffed, ¡°I can adhere to any substance I want or repel any substance I want.¡±


    So that was how he took the lining out, and how it was so painless. Patience did not feel like questioning it. Briefly, the girl wondered if he could do the same with dirty clothing, but that might be asking too many tasks of him. She shook her head. She reached down to grab her drawers that Anax had tossed on the floor and reapplied them with a new sling.


    ¡°Just wash your tendrils. For my peace of mind,¡± demanded the girl.


    ¡°Very well,¡± griped the skull as he stood, still carrying her. They made their way to Patience¡¯s room where Anax begrudgingly filled the small washbasin on a stand by the door.


    ¡°With soap,¡± she added. Anax grumbled and lifted the chunk of soap with his tendril and washed them as he was told. ¡°Thank you. And next time, ask me before you do anything so ¡­ intrusive.¡±


    Although Anax may have cleared all the loose material, Patience¡¯s body still believed there was blood to be shed. She continued to experience cramps, and there was some very light spotting on the new strap. But all in all, it was more favorable than bleeding quite as much as she normally would. For the rest of the day, Patience relaxed on the sofa reading and sipping tea. For meals she ate pickled vegetables from last fall and eggs prepared with minimum effort. Anax patiently accompanied her, asking very little.


    The next day saw Patience feeling better. Though still languorous, she did not bother changing out of her nightgown. She harbored no shame as she walked up the path to the road to retrieve the mail. There was a new catalog from Wiggum¡¯s department store in Haverston. While the Firmins had always supported the smaller businesses in Keaton, some things were only offered at Wiggum¡¯s. The catalog pages also absorbed the perfect amount and was favored in the outhouse.


    Patience turned around to stare at her family¡¯s home in the morning light. The brick cottage peered back at her through tastefully wild landscaping. In the front yard, shrubs were allowed to grow out, flowers mixed and mingled despite their species. Framing the tableau, tall trees stood on either side of the cottage. Their unruly limbs nearly touched the roof shingles flecked with lichen and moss. No sign of the vegetable garden or atelier in the back could be seen from the road. Mr. and Mrs. Firmin liked to work privately.


    The Firmin property, flanked by a fruit orchard and a small tomato farm, was nearly indiscernible as its own proud little piece of land. It was a narrow parcel, deeper than it was wide, and only a fraction of the size of its neighbors. Her parents enjoyed the seclusion without being totally remote from other people. But both businesses had been sold by disinterested progeny to larger companies and were no longer tended by individual families. The only neighbors Patience was left with were laborers from out of town who steered clear of her strange little house, leaving the girl to feel all the more alone..


    ¡°You have a nice home,¡± Anax commented.


    Patience sighed, a sad smile on her face. The last time she observed the cottage from the road for this long was after her parents had departed. The house had looked grayer, the shrubs wilder, the flowers faded, and the trees unfriendly. However, at this moment it appeared closer to the dreamy visage Patience would often conjure when reflecting on her home.


    ¡°Yes. It is, isn¡¯t it ¡­¡± Patience mused as she stepped back down the path towards the warm brown door.


    Having finished the last of the bread, the girl eagerly started a batch of dough. It was cooler out so the dough would take some time to rise. By mid-morning, the window revealed a light rain sprinkling the earth. There was nothing else to be done. She returned to her room and sprawled across the bed, hoping a nap would whisk her away for a while.


    ¡°Sleep again so soon?¡± murmured Anax.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what else to do,¡± Patience muttered as she shifted onto her belly, resting her head and Anax to the side.


    Silence fell upon them, but Patience¡¯s insides began stirring. A nap was out of the question now as a growing restlessness tickled her core. Unsure of the reason, she felt a slight pressure start to build at the pit of her pelvis. She pressed her lower half into the bed in attempt to relieve it, but it only amounted more.


    ¡°Do you need release?¡± asked Anax with a hint of excitement in his rasp.


    Patience exhaled slowly, rolling her eyes towards her window. She was willing to chance it. She knew Anax had his wants and admitted herself that she would long for satisfaction on occasion. Patience had never truly pleasured herself; there was always work to be done or she would be too exhausted and simply fall asleep. Every so often she might wake from some instantly forgotten dream in the morning and feel her loins throbbing having descended from the peak. Now she had Anax. He was available and spurning his assistance would not solve anything. However, Patience decided she would dictate the terms this round.


    An answer departed her lips at last, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Immediately Anax¡¯s fog breached her clothing.


    ¡°But be more gentle, please!¡± Patience insisted.


    Anax halted, his grasp on her clothes relaxing.


    ¡°Lest I take you off again,¡± she added.


    Anax snorted softly, ¡°I¡¯ll take it slow for now.¡±


    Before Patience could adjust herself, she felt Anax press onto her back. He had materialized fully above her, lying on top. His hands slid from her haunches up her sides, pushing her nightgown to her chest. They then burrowed between the girl¡¯s body and the quilt. His claws creeped towards her gap. He did not insert any digits this time and only had them stroke and press against her sex.


    Patience sighed. It felt good straddling his solid fingers. Melting into his presence, she began leisurely rolling into his hands. Anax lifted a couple of digits away from the quilt, providing her a sultry slant to rub against. His pelvis loomed over her backside, keeping her buttocks from rising too high. Soon the familiar slick of wet dribbled onto his fingers.


    ¡°A-all right,¡± she murmured, ¡°you can go ahead now.¡±


    Following the cue, the tip of Anax¡¯s cock nudged at her entrance. He gradually slid in, taking time as he had promised. This was already leagues better than their previous session. Patience hummed serenely. With the full length inside, Anax started to grind into her.


    The feeling of being compressed felt surprisingly nice to Patience. Anax had not condensed to a considerable weight, so it was still comfortable. He left his hands on her pelvis as well so that he could push her into his fingers, providing more stimulation. She also appreciated him not thrusting as violently; he barely pulled out more than half his length before gliding back in.


    He seemed to be enjoying this as well. Low growls curdled around her nape. Anax built up a little speed, his pelvis still holding close against her bottom. Patience felt a small pool of fluid settle into his sedentary hand. She bucked high, forcing luscious sounds from her folds. Doubly aroused now, Anax pumped deeper. A smile broke across her face as she felt him fill her.


    Head muddled by pleasure, Patience failed to notice Anax making himself progressively larger with each thrust. In even increments, Anax expanded his cock until it squeezed against her inner walls. She gasped at the slight sting when there was no longer any fluid between her raw flesh and his solid mist. Seemingly sensing her feelings, Anax restricted his girth before it became too harsh. As a pleasant surprise, the small tingle only tugged at the mounting pressure building below her waist.


    ¡°Is this better?¡± Anax grunted.


    ¡°I-it¡¯s¡ªg-good,¡± Patience moaned, voice shaken with each push. If this was how sex usually went, then she was more than willing to put up with it. She might even seek it.


    As Patience was thoroughly dripping now, Anax expanded his cock again to utilize the extra fluid. His hunger drove him to slam into her, but Patience welcomed it this time. Gone was any pain. She reached her arm behind to squeeze his backside, urging him on. Each shove pushed her closer to the edge. Patience gripped the hem of the quilt. The heat building inside sought urgent release. She sucked in a breath and slid over Anax¡¯s hand. He pushed three thick digits up to her slit as her barriers broke, surrendering to a rush of pure satisfaction.


    As she rode out her bliss, Anax held still, only letting Patience¡¯s bucking work his cock. On her final throe, he fell hard into her, slamming his length in as far as possible, and released. Spurts of fluid coated her insides, some drizzling out as Anax retracted himself. Patience lied panting. Completely spent, a nap finally loomed around the corner.


    The rain eventually ceased and gave way to the sun. Flaxen rays splashed upon the cottage, illuminating patches of warmth throughout the interior. Patience woke with a light in her eyes; her body buzzed with an energy she had long missed. A faint memory of a birthday years past drifted through her mind. Her parents were alive and well. The smell of cinnamon and sugar wafted from a pot, a glaze ready to coat baking sweet rolls. A new book, the diary of an archaeologist, sat on the kitchen table. A navy ribbon that had constricted the parchment wrapping the tome now coiled around Patience¡¯s wrist, awaiting new life as a hair ribbon. The feeling had thrummed through her limbs and core. It was excitement, it was fulfillment, it was happiness.


    For the first time in years, the girl¡¯s chest rose away from the bed, light and airy. She wanted to greet the day, not out of obligation, but to see what it had to offer next. Patience stretched and arched her back, letting that wonderful feeling flow from her fingertips to her toes. Knuckles scraped against the wall as her arms rose past her head, a bit of pain failing to mar the overwhelming contentment. Swinging her feet to the floor, a thought suddenly came to Patience. Her heart skipped a beat.


    ¡°Y-you can¡¯t get me pregnant, can you?¡± she blurted.


    ¡°It is not possible for us to interbreed,¡± stated Anax.


    ¡°Good,¡± said Patience, relief washing over her. She left for the mudroom to pull on her galoshes.


    ¡°My seed should have already dissolved. It is only viable when deposited in particular environments.¡±


    ¡°Particular environments as in your congealed foggy ¡­ situation that¡¯s only found in others of your kind?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    Quite relieved she was not about to become a mother of some abomination, the girl then made her way to the outhouse. Minding the mud birthed by the rain earlier, she skipped along the stone path and continued to ponder.


    ¡°You can successfully sire offspring in your second life?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Females, however, cannot make egg sacs to bear young.¡±


    Patience¡¯s head filled with visions of being a biologist studying these strange creatures as she sat on the bench. A thousand questions queued themselves. She could communicate with one of them. That would indeed expedite research. She could learn so much. Although, she was certain she would need to go to a university to even begin such a career path. Certainly Uncle Lung was well connected and could aid her. Then again, being the leading biologist on this species would draw a lot of attention. Patience slowed her breathing. One day at a time. With a tear and a wipe of a catalog page and a dash of lime, the girl sprang from the outhouse to wash and check on the dough.


    Voluminous, perfectly round, and just the shyest color of beige, the dough was ready for Patience¡¯s favorite step. She formed a fist and punched into the fluffy pillow. It gave without retaliation and submitted to the force. Patience loved the feeling of the dough displacing around her fist. Nearly reaching the bottom, she folded the dough over a few times and then brought the lump to the floured counter. She kneaded it with a few quick passes and then tucked it into an oiled bread pan. Covering it with a towel, she let it sit for its final proof.


    ¡°Bread takes much work,¡± Anax commented.


    ¡°Sure does,¡± sighed Patience as she wiped her hands. ¡°Doesn¡¯t hunting as well, though?¡±


    ¡°True.¡±


    Patience smirked and stepped to the parlor again, this time seating herself in the armchair. Eyes up at the ceiling, she wondered where she and Anax would travel together first. Naturally, she could not just up and leave, it would take some thought and a bit of planning. But the girl had resolved to get out into the world and she wanted to start considering it seriously. A thunderous rolling cramp brought her back to the present. She could resume thinking in a couple days¡¯ time.

 (6) The Spring Festival

    Patience¡¯s status progressed through the following days. Save for a couple of scalp-aches, the girl felt good. She spent her time soaking in Anax¡¯s company. They made idle conversation in the garden, tracking Rosamund¡¯s chicks. They bantered while preparing a vegetable soup. His voice was arresting, gravely, and rich; although it was inhuman, she came to enjoy it. Even in complete silence, Anax became less and less of a stranger. Patience grew more accustomed to his unique physiology, her heart rate no longer elevated any time he unexpectedly formed limbs or tendrils. He was behaving himself, mostly, and seemed to now be approaching this as more of a partnership rather than a domination of his host. She came to trust him.


    ¡°There was mention of a spring festival,¡± said Anax.


    Patience halted scrubbing a pan that had contained her dinner. Her shoulders drooped. ¡°What of it?¡±


    ¡°Can we go? I would very much like to see it,¡± asked Anax, restraint and care in his voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡ªit¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve gone,¡± said Patience. ¡°I haven¡¯t had anyone to go with in a long time. My parents¡ª¡± Her voice wavered.


    Searching for words, she stared out the window above the basin. Only there were no words whispered in the breeze rustling through the trees. Her eyes fell on the moonlit path leading up toward the road. A thousand celestial candles glimmered against the velvet sky, jewels enticing the girl go out and seek them. The dreamy blue scene called out to her, inviting her to discover the mysteries awaiting beyond the road. Anax was the push she needed to leave her comfortable rut. She owed it to him. To herself.


    ¡°Please,¡± he said.


    Patience forced a smile, ¡°For you, I¡¯ll try. Though I can¡¯t promise my scalp won¡¯t hurt the morning of.¡±


    During the next two days, the girl busied herself with housework. Free from cramps, she hurried from room to room, sweeping, cleaning the windows, dusting the taxidermy. Each night she fell asleep dreading the coming morning until it was the day of the spring festival. Her scalp failed to bother her at all.


    ¡°Feeling up to it?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s go,¡± sighed Patience.


    She donned an embroidered smock and light linen pants with faded grass stains from the last festival she wore them to seven years ago. Her honey eyes held fast to the hallway mirror as she checked her appearance and fussed with her braid. After a while Anax intervened, smoothing all the stray hairs away. The girl expressed her gratitude. Finally, tucking a canvas sack under her arm, she and Anax set out on the hour-long sojourn to Keaton.


    Patience did indeed feel well enough physically to attend the festival. However, she was not as sure about her mental preparedness. Old wounds began to tear open bit by bit. There had always been a stigma against the children from the countryside who came into town for school. It was only intensified if one looked particularly different from the other children. Most of her classmates had simply ignored Patience, avoiding any engagement. A couple did shoot snide remarks whenever they were out of earshot of the instructors. Yet a few others greeted her with perfunctory politeness, as respectable young ladies should, young ladies such as Serafina. As they grew older, the distance between Patience and all of her classmates increased. Patience was relieved when her studies came to an end and she could spend the majority of her time out of the public eye.


    Her parents had always been a cushion for her, a bridge for her social life. But now she felt further than ever away from the normalcy of the townsfolk. Her muscles seized at the thought of possibly seeing everyone she once knew in school gathered at the festival, living happy lives with new families. The spring festival was largely an event for families and couples, and currently Patience did not have much of either.


    ¡°Anxious again?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°Yeah ¡­¡± Patience admitted. ¡°Everyone will be out for the festival. I run an even greater risk of seeing people I know than when I usually go into town.¡±


    ¡°As I said before, let them talk.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not you this time ¡­¡± sighed the girl. ¡°I just ¡­¡±


    Anax placed a reassuring tendril on her shoulder.


    She sniffed, ¡°It¡¯s difficult seeing people I grew up with enjoying their lives with their loved ones.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± said Anax plainly.


    Patience continued to walk down the dirt road and came upon the shapes of houses in the distance. As they approached, she began to dawdle. The girl nearly drew to a halt when Anax spoke again.


    ¡°Then pay them no mind. Focus on the festivities instead. Focus on things that bring you joy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that easy¡ª¡±


    ¡°It is. Keep your eyes on the sights, not the people. I can help,¡± said Anax, wiggling a tendril against her neck.


    Patience broke into a smile as she realized Anax was trying to comfort her in his own way. He was right. There was so much at the festival, surely she could keep herself distracted. Memories of bountiful floral arrangements, colorful merchants, sumptuous treats, fanfare, and energetic performances bloomed in her mind. She would indeed like to experience all those things again. Her feet picked up their pace once more.


    Nearing Keaton, signs of festivities began to appear. Houses adorned their front doors with streamers and paper decorations. People dressed in bright dresses and suits inhabited the streets. They chatted and shared pastries while casually meandering toward the town¡¯s park. Children with flowered crowns and jam-stained cheeks ran around with their dogs. Everywhere spring burst forth, the first hearty splashes of color since the sullen winter.


    Once over the bridge, music drifted from the town center. Lilting over wooden stalls, the twittering melodies embodied the birds to which they paid homage. Fragrant smells wafted between alleyways. Crowds of merchants shouted, hawking their floral products to interested customers. Among them were a few witches, dressed in their eccentric garments. One had a pair of stuffed rabbits mating upon her head. Patience felt a little less conspicuous.


    ¡°So much going on!¡± awed Anax.


    ¡°The spring festival and winter holidays are the biggest events of the year. Religious, spiritual, or secular, everyone celebrates. It¡¯s fun. People enjoy themselves,¡± sighed Patience dreamily.


    Anax gazed up at the colorful ribbons wrapping around street lamps topped with seasonal bouquets. The candied environment was enhanced by vibrant streamers stretched between the windows overhead, casting a rainbow web over the plaza. Children with toy horns squealed alongside their professional brass counterparts marching up and down the cobblestones. A myriad of colors assaulted their eyes and a cacophony of sounds blasted their ears, but it was all in good fun.


    The girl wound between festival-goers, browsing the street stalls. She purchased a small bottle of perfume from a witch who complimented Anax. Forgetting himself, Anax nearly replied before Patience curtly cleared her throat. The rumpus surrounding them was enough that the witch did not hear and Patience stole away to the next stall. A maze of people and kiosks spread across the square and continued through wider streets, proving a challenge for Patience to navigate toward the park.


    Herded by bustling bodies, Patience had to go the long way around which led her to make a couple of purchases. Shunning the bouquets offered at every corner, the girl instead opted for a few tulip bulbs. Much like how she viewed the trophy hunting of animals, seeing the brilliant blooms around her cut down in their prime left a sour tinge in her mouth. However, animals could be preserved with the skills of people like her father and still look alive. The most anyone could do with flowers was dry or press them into faded husks.


    At the end of the street, a wizard had set up a tent offering medical examinations and prescriptions. A long line formed along closed business entrances, full of people getting over their lingering winter colds or coming into their springtime sneezing. Wizards were a rather rare sight to see in these parts, as they usually remained in the cities to serve a larger community. Or if they were engrossed in a particular discipline, they would normally live in the area convenient to their studies.


    Just as uncommon a sight were physicians. Keaton had no resident doctor. The closest one lived in Haverston, and being the sole physician to serve the entire county, he was often difficult to reach. As for hospitals, there was one in Piedmont in the county over, but traveling there was long and slow. Barring anything dire, people made do with home remedies, prayers, and bottled tonics, or took advantage of traveling herbalists and witches. People in this region were lucky if they ever got a hold of a licensed professional doctor or wizard.


    Patience gazed at the wizard¡¯s tent. Under the tarpaulin, she had parked a wagon with many drawers built into its body. A small table sat with a tray on top holding different medical devices, some of which shone with a magical glint in the shade. At the moment the wizard was looking over the scalp of an old woman, possibly for lice. Patience felt her own scalp itch at the thought. She wondered if the wizard might have a salve to soothe her burn, but the length of the line deterred her. This was still the spring festival, after all; there was merriment to be had.


    Eventually Patience stopped by a meat pie shop where she bought a duck hand-pie. She was determined to save it until she reached the edge of the park. One could barely see the grass hidden under a sea of picnic blankets and spreads of delicious meals. Families and couples from all over town and the surrounding countryside had congregated to take in the crisp spring air and give their attention to the large wooden stage in the middle of the lawn. It currently hosted a band and group of dancers in Wendish folk dress.


    Patience swallowed and took Anax¡¯s words to heart. She would not search the crowd for faces she grew up with, instead she would focus on finding the perfect spot to watch the performances. Winding around the nests of families, the girl spotted Mrs. Laurence seated with her husband. The dressmaker¡¯s large hat always announced her presence at spring festivals. Every year, she decorated her hat with dress trimmings, constructing them into large flowers and butterflies. They locked eyes across several families and waved at each other.


    Patience skirted around the crowds, eyes darting to seek out a patch of unoccupied grass. Nearer the edge of the park, she noticed the Wells brothers gathered with their families. The elder brother sat on a stool, unbothered by a small girl placing wildflowers in his curly salt and pepper hair. The younger brother leaned against a tree, a piece of straw in his mouth, hat dashingly askew. A part of Patience wanted to greet them, but they were absorbed in conversation with their loved ones. She continued on her quest.


    ¡°All these family units together in one place ¡­¡± Anax murmured.


    ¡°There aren¡¯t any large get-togethers of your kind?¡± asked Patience.


    ¡°Families and bachelor bands will share alliances and meet, but there is not much of a community other than your two or three closest neighbors or friend groups. Any gathering as large as this ¡­ fights are sure to break out.¡±


    ¡°Guess being a socialite isn¡¯t in your nature either,¡± said the girl looking down to her arms as she continued stepping her way around. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    At last she came across a vacant spot. Patience settled in, crossing her legs. It was just far enough away from the stage to be clear of eager children, but still close enough for an unobstructed view. Patience bit into the pie that was still warm between her palms. The savory duck melted in her mouth. She daintily lapped up the gravy dripping from the opened crust before it fell onto her hand. Money well spent.


    The folk dancers finished their routine to a round of applause and the spring maidens began escorting them off the stage. That was their duty, to help acts on and off; they also would star in their own elaborate dance once the sun set, kicking off the night parade through town. Patience spotted Serafina guiding a suave flutist down the stage steps. Even from the distance, Patience could see the glittery look the maiden gave the man. He quite obviously fell for her charms, a wide smile between his cheeks. Patience rolled her eyes. She wiped her hand of grease on the dewy grass.


    Mrs. Laurence did make a nice dress for Serafina, she will confess. It kept the usual spring maiden colors, but stood out amongst the other maidens¡¯ garments in its design. Light blue and green silk flowed from a cream bodice with white lace wrapped around the sleeves and chest. Fabric butterflies clung to the waist and skirt, giving life to this threaded vision. Serafina¡¯s glowing blonde locks flowed down her back, crowned with a halo of fresh wildflowers and ribbons. This living effigy of spring skipped to escort the new set of performers.


    The next act to come on stage was Keaton¡¯s Baptist church choir. Patience noted a couple of witches in the audience respectfully applauding a welcome along with the rest of the crowd. Although not religious herself, Patience did enjoy some of the hymns they sang for the melodies alone. A pleasant act all around, they were well-received.


    Between acts, Patience casually glanced around to take note of any attractive men she spotted, ignoring families that accompanied them. Nearly sequestered for the past five years at home, Patience had never spent much time fancying men, or anyone for that matter. And without any real opportunities to fraternize, she rarely imagined what it was like to be intimate with them. But Anax had awoken something in her. She liked what Anax did with her. She wondered how it would be with human men.


    ¡°Are you hunting?¡± Anax snickered.


    ¡°I¡¯m enjoying the view,¡± Patience said, feeling grateful for Anax. He shielded her burn from the singeing sun without aggravating it and led her to forget it was even there. The skull also hid her hungry ogling from being caught.


    Brass music fluttered through the air, performed by the Deutschverband ensemble from Haverston. It was a group comprised of part-time musicians, unified in their shared heritage, but they played as well as any professional band. They were a featured guest this year, as they normally performed at the larger town¡¯s own festival. Patience had heard the festivities there were grander with many of the large businesses as sponsors. But there was something to be said of the quaint production in Keaton. It was a draw to even some of the citizens of Haverston who sat on stools on the lawn, careful to avoid soiling their prim outfits.


    The sun soaked into Patience¡¯s skin, providing warm comfort from the cool spring lawn. Eyes leaping from man to man, Patience settled on the ones appealing to her. Without the presence of her parents, she felt free to indulge in herself for the first time in her life. One boon of being completely alone was the absence of the prickling presence of another person. It was constricting at times, being under the scrutiny of others, even loved ones. No longer did Patience have to act properly, nor mind her manners through the waking hours even away from the public eye. She truly was her own woman now.


    Patience¡¯s creative romp ended when the ensemble finished their act and the bassoonist stepped down the stage and brought Serafina up. The man was inoffensive in appearance: generically handsome without any sharp or distinguishing features. His doe eyes glistened as he held Serafina in his arms. Separating, he then dropped down on his knee. Patience¡¯s stomach sank. Serafina¡¯s lips did not need to be read. Her elated shriek pierced the air as she leapt into the arms of her new fianc¨¦. The young couple¡¯s parents flocked to them, making joyous noise. Numerous people cheered and clapped at what just transpired.


    Despite knowing better, Patience succumbed to the jealousy welling in her heart. Her fists grappled the grass. A sense of loneliness overwhelmed her. All the people in the park disappeared in a haze. She only saw her knees trembling in the vastness of the empty world around her.


    ¡°Why must everything be so perfect for Serafina?¡± she wheezed through her clenched throat. ¡°Everyone loves her, and now she has another to live out her life with.¡±


    ¡°You have me,¡± rasped Anax.


    Patience sniffed, dabbing her nose with the bag containing the day¡¯s purchases. She placed a hand on Anax¡¯s jaw.


    ¡°I can make you feel better if you want,¡± he quietly suggested.


    Patience choked out a chuckle. She sat very still.


    Anax cheekily shot a tendril down her smock, squeezing her breast. Alarmed that someone might have witnessed that, Patience stiffened and rolled her shoulders hoping to convince any phantom observers the tendril was a trick of the light on her sweat.


    Relaxed again, she angled her lips to blow a puff of air into the underside of Anax¡¯s snout. She did not know why she did that. At that moment, she had wanted to kiss him; but circumstances forbidding, her body invented a gesture of its very own.


    ¡°What was that? I liked it,¡± Anax purred.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but we can make it an ¡®us¡¯ thing,¡± said Patience.


    Us. It was true. Amongst all these other couples upon the lawn, Patience felt a bit less lonely now. In the barren world around her, a light shined. It was not a sun. It was the orb of Anax¡¯s eye, right over hers. Wiping away some of the spittle on her lip revealed a smile on Patience¡¯s face. Even if her relationship was not the most conventional, it was real. Anax was here.


    ¡°Make your hos¡ªlife-donor feel better, then.¡±


    A lascivious chuckled thrummed at the back of Patience¡¯s head. ¡°Let¡¯s find a secluded spot,¡± he growled.


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t want to chance anyone seeing me! There are too many people outside,¡± Patience hissed. The middle of the open lawn was a worse option, so she stood and began winding through the attendees toward the edge of the park.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll just have to get home.¡±


    The girl never thought she would hear Anax expressing interest to go home while they were out. He must enjoy playing with her body immensely to pass up seeing and hearing new things. His lambent vapors tickled down her body underneath her clothes. Patience smirked and felt her legs tugged into a fast march.


    ¡°All right! We¡¯ll leave now!¡± she whispered. With a final glance back to the stage, the girl put the festival behind her and looked forward to a pleasant afternoon.


    Patience hurried up the road leading home, Anax¡¯s vapor flailing in the wind. Despite the long, tiring trek, the girl bolted toward the front door the moment her worn silver gray fence came into view. Crossing the threshold, tendrils burst forth from Anax¡¯s mantle and pulled off the clothes that hung between him and his prize. Before she could even put down her bag, Anax had already penetrated her with two of his coils.


    ¡°Really? Here in the parlor?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t wait any longer! The taste of your sweat, the warmth of your skin! I couldn¡¯t!¡± Anax whined. A solid muscled body formed behind and readied itself to mount her on the oriental rug. Anax thrust deeply into her entrance, extruding a high, exasperated moan from Patience.


    ¡°Hm hm hm! That¡¯s my pet!¡± teased Anax.


    ¡°Did you have to start so roughly?,¡± she panted, largely from the exertion of the walk.


    ¡°This was what you wanted, right?¡± Anax huffed and puffed as he fell into a steady rhythm. His smoky ropes grasped tightly around her waist. She bucked into him, enjoying his firm hold. They continued to writhe together in front of the fireplace long enough for the sun to start dipping in the sky. The trip to Keaton and back within just a few hours tired Patience, however she would find no rest in the hands of Anax.


    ¡°Mmph, Anax ¡­ are you getting there?¡± Patience voiced.


    ¡°Huuh, just a few more ¡­ ¡° Anax grunted.


    Just then two knocks resounded from the front door. Both Anax and Patience froze in place.


    ¡°What? No one ever visits you,¡± Anax grumbled with a curt thrust.


    Patience stifled a moan. The knocking persisted. Her eyes flashed to the cutout of the sky. She calculated that it was dark enough that they could not be seen in the unlit parlor should the visitor look through the uncovered windows.


    A voice drifted from beyond the door, ¡°Patience?¡±


    ¡°It can¡¯t be,¡± the girl whispered.


    Patience craned her neck. In a gamble she raised her voice, ¡°Schuler?¡±


    Muffled, the voice replied, ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°My god, it IS him!¡± she breathed. Patience sat up in a hurry to collect her clothes, but Anax put a stop to that. He pushed her back down to the rug.


    ¡°Not so fast,¡± he growled. After a few more pumps, he released. ¡°All right, go on.¡± He dissipated his form to be no more than a simple skull atop Patience¡¯s head.


    The girl stood, feeling quite indecent. She grabbed the throw from the sofa and wrapped it around herself. Unable to bear making the man outside her door wait any longer, she leapt to the front entrance and turned the handle.


    With its final blaze of the day, the setting sun illuminated a familiar face. Standing on her doorstep was a trim man, his black, back-swept hair streaked with silver. A soft smile beamed under a sparse mustache. He brought a hand up to stroke the whiskers on his short, pointed chin. The golden light brightened his normally dark blue eyes.


    ¡°Patience!¡±


    ¡°Schuler! You¡¯re back in town! And you came to see me!¡± the girl exclaimed.


    ¡°Of course!¡± He reeled her into a hug. ¡°I thought you¡¯d be home during the spring festival. Still collecting skulls, I see,¡± he teased, relinquishing her from his arms.


    ¡°Oh, aha. This. Right.¡± She gestured at Anax. ¡°A special piece I acquired not too long ago.¡±


    ¡°Well, I came by to tell you we finished our western tour and now we¡¯ve got a place to call home! They opened a new theater over in Haverston and signed Celeste Hargreaves for a three year contract! We¡¯re now the resident band!¡°


    Patience¡¯s jaw dropped. A cool finger of a tendril began to snake its way down the nape of her neck, heading straight toward her bottom half.


    The girl sputtered, ¡°That¡¯s great news! I¡¯m very happy for you!¡± She pulled the throw tighter around herself.


    ¡°I¡¯m renting an apartment in Keaton, since it¡¯s between you and Haverston. So you¡¯ll be seeing a lot more of me.¡±


    She felt the tendril insert itself. Patience¡¯s eyes flew open and she cleared her throat. Schuler knitted his brows.


    ¡°Are you ill? Keeping warm? You seem awfully flustered and sweaty,¡± Schuler fretted.


    Patience rubbed her knees together. She stammered as the tendril wriggled inside, ¡°Oh, I¡¯m a little under the weather. Perhaps we should arrange to meet another time?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely! I was planning on inviting you over, anyway. Here is my address.¡± Schuler passed her a slip of paper. ¡°Please visit whenever you get the chance. I¡¯m off all day Mondays and Tuesdays. Rehearsals and shows don¡¯t start for another week, but I¡¯ll be moving stuff from storage to my new place and sorting things out in Keaton. ¡±


    ¡°You were keeping your things in Mr. Wells¡¯ stables while you were on tour, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Regardless, I guess you have a good chance finding me at home all this week. Maybe you¡¯ll feel better in time for a visit.¡±


    ¡°Body willing!¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± He bowed his head. ¡°I¡ª¡± The pair locked eyes as Schuler searched for words.


    Patience smiled at him.


    ¡°I¡¯m just glad to be close by you once again,¡± he hemmed.


    Patience grinned a bit wider and feigned a cough. ¡°Me too! I¡¯ll be seeing you!¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Schuler shot her a crooked smile. ¡°You rest up now!¡±


    ¡°I will!¡±


    Anax plunged deeper. Had the door not been there as a crutch, Patience thought she would drop onto the floor. She waved Schuler off and watched him trot to his motorbike leaning against the front fence by the road. As soon as she was certain he was out of earshot, she slammed the door shut. Her back slid down against the door, Anax¡¯s sole tendril pushing her insides over the point of satisfaction.


    ¡°So who was that?¡± asked Anax while watching Patience clean herself.


    By now the sun had set and the rooms were illuminated by lamplight. The girl paused, letting her washcloth unfurl in the bowl of water.


    ¡°Schuler ¡­ ¡° The name rolled over Patience¡¯s tongue like a candied sweet and tasted almost as nice. She grasped her washstand with a wet hand. ¡°When my parents became very feeble, he would come to help fix things around the house ¡­ and he¡¯s probably the only man ever to show any interest in me.¡± A faint tinge of red spread over her nose. ¡°He¡¯s asked for my hand in marriage, and my parents gave their blessing but ¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you not approve of him?¡±


    ¡°No. I like him immensely. We get along very well,¡± said Patience. The washcloth lumped against the side of the bowl, mimicking some pathetic sea creature.


    ¡°Then the problem?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s much too old ¡­¡± Patience sighed. She resumed sponging her body with greater vigor. ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose more people I love so soon. The time I had with my parents felt so short-lived. Bouncing around the garden as a toddler ¡­ running from my mother to my father ¡­ it only seemed like yesterday.¡±


    Finished, she took the basin to the kitchen, dumping the dirty water into the sink. There was no appetite for dinner tonight. Turning on her heels, the girl stomped to the back of the house to the mudroom. She threw the dirty cloth into a basket to be laundered later. Upon her return to her room, she stopped at the hallway mirror, pleading into the glass, ¡°What am I to do if I marry Schuler and in an instant I¡¯m beside his deathbed?¡±


    Anax paused for a moment. ¡°But that is your mortal life.¡±


    Patience entered her room and dressed in her nightgown. ¡°I¡¯d rather live my life as a spinster than a widow.¡±

 (7) Schuler

    That night lying in bed, a rush of emotions swept over the girl. Seeing Schuler¡¯s face again brought back memories of her parents and scraped old heartaches anew. Granted, she had only known this man a couple of years before her parents¡¯ passing, introduced to the family through one of her father¡¯s clients. Nevertheless, he had been with her through the very worst of it, offering his unending support. Patience had been ready to meet her future with a fresh face underneath the protection of Anax, now her past had risen from the depths to pull her back once more.


    ¡°I really can¡¯t believe he¡¯s back ¡­¡± mumbled the girl. ¡°I mean, I knew his tour would end at some point, but he came back to Keaton ¡­¡±


    ¡°He did say he got an apartment just to be between work and you. Maybe he still wishes to be with you.¡±


    ¡°Maybe ¡­ or he feels sorry for me and wants to be close in case I need him for some odd job around the house.¡± Patience let the thought sink in and stilled. She groaned, pulling the covers tightly over her chest. At this moment, the girl only wished to be whisked away to the land of her dreams and not worry about reality for several hours.


    The next day offered clear skies and moderate temperatures. It certainly was more serene and optimistic than Patience¡¯s broiling mind. With Schuler¡¯s return, he was all she could think about. The girl nursed a cup of tea at the kitchen table, her glazed eyes gazing out the window at the morning serenity. She wanted to hear about his time out West. They had nearly four years to catch up on, but she also dreaded a visit. She feared sitting down to talk with him would not be the same as it once was. She feared that he could have changed. Perhaps he would be less open with her. Perhaps he even had someone in his life now. A thousand possibilities swarmed her head.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting anxious again,¡± Anax remarked.


    ¡°It¡¯s ¡­ nothing,¡± said Patience. Seeking distraction, the girl realized Anax would be suitable for the time being. She ventured to pry a little more about him. ¡°How long do you live in this state?¡±


    ¡°So long as the center core of my skull, that nodule above your nose, remains intact, I can always accept a life-donor.¡±


    ¡°You could live for hundreds of years then!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s possible. It¡¯s a rough life in our homeland, though. The oldest first-born I knew was eighty-six winters. And most second-borns only last a little longer than their first lives.¡±


    Patience brought a hand up to stroke Anax¡¯s jaw. An urge to protect his skull passed over her. For once, the girl felt the ability to extend someone¡¯s life was within her control. ¡°How old were you when your first life ended?¡±


    ¡°Thirty-five winters or so,¡± he replied. ¡°No idea how long I was inert before you received me.¡±


    ¡°Do you miss your original body?¡±


    ¡°Not really. I can become so much more this way. I can take on the shape of my donor¡¯s species, any species, any thing. I¡¯m free to be as I please.¡±


    ¡°What did you look like before?¡±


    ¡°Do you wish to see?¡±


    ¡°Yes. If I can.¡±


    ¡°To the mirror.¡±


    Patience took them down the hallway to the tall mirror, heart drumming in anticipation. Her footfalls halted at the silver glass. Reflected on its surface was a young woman, a dark skull obfuscating her face.


    ¡°Ready?¡± asked Anax. She nodded.


    The white mist flowed out of the back of the skull. It twisted and amassed into an enormous hunched shape behind the human. Spikes rose to manifest a peaked carapace. Long, thick, jagged arms sprouted away from its plated chest. A taut torso gave way to solid segmented legs with an insectoid abdomen in between. Inside the skull¡¯s mouth, a second set of jaws fully packed with teeth appeared. Anax¡¯s orb condensed and dulled slightly to reveal a slitted iris. Set within the wide left socket of his skull was a ghostly, scarred hollow that once held an eye. Patience gasped in awe. Fully formed, Anax allowed Patience to turn from side to side, he along with her, to let her view him from various angles.


    ¡°Are you not pleased?¡± his ghostly inner jaws clacked, moving independently of the tangible skull.


    ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know what to say. I suppose I¡¯m thankful you usually take on a more human shape. But why?¡±


    ¡°To get to know you strange creatures better.¡± He pawed at her with his right hand, the two main claws jutting from it resembled the arms of a praying mantis. The tiny spines raked her skin. ¡°To know you better.¡±


    Patience¡¯s gaze dropped. Embarrassed to ask, but curiosity getting the better of her, she spoke, ¡°Wh-what does your penis look like?¡±


    With a low chuckle, Anax¡¯s insect abdomen crunched forward between his and Patience¡¯s legs. Two rigid structures emerged from the tip, flanking a long, knotted tube that extended past their knees and nearly touched the mirror.


    ¡°I¡¯m really thankful you usually take on a human shape,¡± Patience gulped.


    He morphed into his normal form. Relieved to see the familiar sight, Patience smiled. She admired his current body in the silvery surface, even if it looked a tad silly crouching to accommodate her height. It was not unlike a very well-muscled man. But like a dog, his legs crooked in at his ankles. Spurs stuck out the back above the flat of the foot, and he resolved to rest on clawed toes. Why he did not form human legs stumped Patience. For all she knew, he wanted to retain some monstrous features. As much as he could ever try, even if he wished, Anax would never be human.


    Patience sighed as her mind returned to more pressing thoughts. She would have to face Schuler sooner or later. It was probably for the best to not distance herself from the last human she was close with. She had lived the past four years in relative solitude and now had a monster for a partner. Schuler would be the thread to reel her back from being a complete outcast. The girl vowed to visit him the next day.


    A soft wash of peach bled into the morning sky when the sun reared its weary head over the horizon. Still feeling quite shaken, Patience only managed to gulp down a fried egg and a biscuit for breakfast. Her stomach ached, but it was not out of hunger. The girl could not endure any longer, she had to speak with him again.


    ¡°W-would you mind if I took you off while I go visit Schuler?¡± whispered Patience, drying her plate.


    ¡°Visiting him means visiting town.¡±


    ¡°Yes. But I want to speak to him alone,¡± said the girl. ¡°I¡¯ll keep you on until I reach his apartment.¡± She patted the skull¡¯s jaw. ¡°And then I¡¯ll make it up to you. I can put you on afterwards and we¡¯ll explore town a bit more.¡±


    Anax grumbled.


    ¡°You can play with me too when we come back.¡±


    ¡°Very well,¡± he mumbled.


    A spark of joy flashed in her heart. Patience dashed to her room to dress, picking out the least worn clothes. Before she left, she applied a light spray of her newly purchased perfume.


    As the girl traveled into town, her footsteps fell to the rhythm of her thumping heart. The path into Keaton was still littered with remnants of the spring festival. Paper shreds scattered by the wind rested alongside withered petals on the ground. Orphaned pieces of food were smashed into foot and wheel tracks on the road. The houses on the outskirts sat eerily quiet, their occupants sleeping in after a full twenty-four hours of revelry followed by a day of cleaning. Only birdsong and the light rustling of a breeze through spring foliage kept complete silence at bay. At the moment, the world belonged to nature alone.


    Burgeoning signs of life finally greeted Patience by the time she came into Keaton-proper. Shopkeepers sleepily unlocked their doors to the public, extending their welcome to the sun as they drew their curtains open. Neighbors idly greeted one another before slowly beginning to pick up the final pieces left by festivities. Divets in the ground were all that marked where festival stalls had been erected. Patience passed by the park, the lawn trampled and kicked to an unsightly state. A bit twisted that a festival celebrating the beauty of the season would leave behind such a mess.


    The address Schuler gave her was easy enough to find; Keaton was only so large. Patience entered the kept apartment lobby, listening to her boot heels click against the tiled floor. With one foot tentatively on the first step of the open staircase, Patience took Anax off her head. She then ascended the steps as her heart beat steadily faster. Spiraling upwards, the winding motion seemed to focus her thoughts. Her vision tunneled until a bronze number nine came before her, shining on Schuler¡¯s door. Gripping Anax between her hands, she peered down fondly at the skull. His simple presence reassured the girl. She held her breath as she knocked on the apartment door.


    There was a muffled clatter of dishes before the more audible turning of the lock. The door swung open to reveal a grinning Schuler. ¡°Patience! You came!¡± he said, sweeping his hair away from his face.


    ¡°Sorry I¡¯m here unannounced so early, but we have so much to catch up on,¡± Patience said, nerves staggering her voice.


    ¡°Please! Your visits are always welcomed. Come on in.¡± He waved his hand, ushering her inside.


    As the girl entered the apartment, tall windows bathed her in golden morning light. To the right was a small kitchen, Patience glimpsed the dirty dishes in the sink through the open doorway. A sizable sitting area took up the main part of the space with a backdrop of town views exposed through the curtains. At the far end were two closed doors. Patience suspected them to lead to a bathroom and bedroom. A few of the pieces of furniture around her were still wrapped, but everything that could offer a seat was available to service them.


    Schuler stepped over to the sofa and fluffed a couple of pillows, inviting her to sit down. She obliged, choosing a spot warmed by a shaft of sunlight. She set Anax down on the cushion next to her.


    ¡°Brought your friend to visit too?¡± Schuler chuckled as he poured the girl a cup of tea he had brewed just before she arrived.


    ¡°Oh. It¡¯s something of a good luck charm,¡± said Patience. Now was not the time to disclose Anax¡¯s true nature. Not yet. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    ¡°Biggest good luck charm I ever seen,¡± laughed Schuler.


    He set down the tea kettle atop a doily on the table at their feet. The man made himself comfortable in the armchair adjacent to Patience. As he settled before her, all the worries washed away with his lax smile. He was as she remembered. Patience scolded herself for all her doubting.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get right to it,¡± said the girl, ¡°Let me hear about your tour and everything you did out West!¡±


    ¡°I forgot how much you liked stories.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯ve been away too long,¡± she tutted.


    ¡°All right, all right. Lemme make sure I got enough tea. Don¡¯t wanna get parched,¡± the musician snickered, making a grand show of looking into his cup.


    ¡°I can refill it for you as you go, just start already!¡±


    With a throat-clearing cough, Schuler began to tell his sweeping tales of his time in the western half of the country. It was a lot of country to cover. It was a lot of time to cover. He gave a very thorough account of his experiences in each state and city, refusing to gloss over any detail of his band¡¯s many exploits, including the outstanding meals they had. In another life, the man might have written ballads to be beloved by the whole nation. Patience listened attentively, hanging onto his every word.


    It was amazing the things that could happen to a vaudeville band: getting lost in the desert and ending up on a reservation, accidentally starting a stampede of police horses, disguising a family of immigrants to sneak them across the southern border, having the president attend a show held right before an earthquake. All of it could fill a novel three times over. By the time he wrapped up the tales from their final stop, the sunbeam had navigated across the parlor rug.


    ¡°Oh! Before I forget, here¡¯s something I picked up in Yerba Buena just for you.¡± Schuler reached over to a side table and grabbed a small carton, he opened it to reveal something glinting in a nest of cotton. ¡°It¡¯s a snuff bottle imported from Cathay.¡± The man presented to her a small porcelain vessel decorated with an enameled floral motif. ¡°Empty of course. But I thought it¡¯d look nice on that dresser of yours.¡±


    Patience¡¯s eyes shone. ¡°Thank you so much, Schuler! This is beautiful! I love it!¡± She cradled the tiny thing in her palms, drinking in each minute detail.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re out of tea,¡± said Schuler shaking the kettle in his hand.


    ¡°A shame.¡± Patience tucked the bottle back into the carton, and set it under Anax¡¯s crown so as not to forget it.


    ¡°It¡¯s about time for lunch.¡± The man stood up from his seat. ¡°Shall we? There¡¯s a restaurant just down the street.¡± Patience felt her stomach clamor for food. Her paltry breakfast had long been digested. Meeting Schuler¡¯s gaze, she nodded.


    On their way to the door, the girl shot a quick glance back at Anax still resting on the pillow. She narrowed her eyes, but followed Schuler out into the hallway despite her worry. The man locked the door behind them.


    It was a short walk to the restaurant. Patience had not remembered this place being here when she visited this street last. She really had been holed up in her cottage for a long time. The restaurant was beautiful in its simplicity. Wooden wall panels reached high to the tin-tiled ceiling, basic iron chandeliers suspended between the plates. In its humility, the restaurant welcomed Keaton¡¯s middle-class.


    The hostess seated the pair in the middle of the wide dining hall at the remaining empty table, and quickly took their order. The noise from the packed establishment nearly snuffed out Schuler¡¯s additional asides. Patience had to slide her chair closer to his as they sat waiting.


    ¡°So you heard all that I did these past few years. What about you?¡± he asked, leaning closely by Patience¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I ¡­ really didn¡¯t do much,¡± the girl replied. She sipped her glass of water. ¡°I stayed home. Well, I¡¯d come to town for anything I needed, but I never lingered long.¡±


    ¡°I knew you stopped attending festivals ever since ¡­¡± began Schuler.


    Patience dipped her head.


    He cleared his throat and continued, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you stopped going out altogether ¡­¡±


    The girl¡¯s voice wavered, ¡°I didn¡¯t have much reason to leave the house. It was just a bit hard going about day to day, knowing you were thousands of miles away.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help the tour schedule ¡­ ¡° Schuler glanced off to the side, catching a glimpse of a couple seated at a nearby table. They were lost in their own little world, completely shut away from the lively crowd. He sniffed, redirecting his attention back to his own tableau. ¡°It was the opportunity of a lifetime. And it¡¯s not like I¡¯m tied down to anything here,¡± he said, bitterness on his tongue.


    Patience shifted her gaze.


    ¡°I go where the wind takes me, or wherever my bandmates go.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s a few letters between friends?¡±


    ¡°Sorry. I thought the birthday telegrams were enough. Honestly, I didn¡¯t know you cared.¡±


    The girl shot a hurt look into his eyes. ¡°Of course I cared!¡±


    At that very moment, their food arrived. Patience cleared her throat and scrunched up the napkin held in her hands. Thankful for the interruption, her mouth relaxed. The continued exercise in forming words tired her, and she eagerly anticipated the mindless chewing to come. Patience dug into her pork chop, venting her frustration through knife cuts.


    After several mouthfuls of food, the girl¡¯s thoughts eased a bit. Schuler glanced at her expectantly, waiting for her to speak on her own terms. Patience noticed this. A shadow of a smile passed over her lips.


    From the moment he stepped onto their property, Schuler had always been patient with her. He had arrived one spring day to patch a few spots on their roof. Shying from the presence of a stranger, Patience milled about indoors. It was not until the afternoon that curiosity got the better of her, and she ventured outside to get to know the man. He answered all of her questions, even the ones about his task at hand, no matter how obvious or mundane. More favorable yet, during their whole conversation, he never once stared at her burn. He also never obviously avoided staring at it. Sometimes that was even more awkward to endure.


    Patience began to feel increasingly comfortable around him. He could potentially be a new friend, something Patience had not gained in a long time. Pushing the boundaries even further, she requested to join him on the roof. Once confident Mr. and Mrs. Firmin were still inside the house, he allowed the girl up on the section with the gentlest incline.


    It was the first time Patience had ever seen her home from a new perspective. She was awestruck. After several minutes of breathless wonderment, Schuler invited her to sit, taking a break from work. They shared his sandwich and watched a nest of birds in the white pine. However, their period of peace abruptly ceased when Mrs. Firmin noisily exited the house with a load of laundry. Patience bade a quiet farewell and snuck back down the ladder before her mother rounded the corner.


    Patience shook herself free from past memories and noticed a family walk into the restaurant, the hostess leading them past her. Hot stares pricked her burn. The two children began to whimper and cling to their parents. For two decades the people of Keaton have grown accustomed to seeing Patience around town. But as new faces appear or pass through, they would often shove Patience back into that uncomfortable cage, labeling her an oddity. The children squealed louder, drowning the admonishing hushes of their parents. She shrank into her shoulders.


    How ironic that Patience wished desperately to have the skull of a monster over her head to hide her own grotesqueness. Under Anax¡¯s crown, she had power. She was mysterious. People could only guess her capabilities. Even if she commanded double the stares with Anax, he was her choice. He was her diversion from her true inescapable ugliness. Stripped of her armor, Patience was exposed to the world for what she really was: a simple, plain, deformed girl. She shifted in her seat, mumbling her regret over leaving Anax on the sofa.


    Sensing her distress, Schuler rubbed her back. The family had been seated, but the commotion led to the entire dining hall softening their previously boisterous noise. Patience hunched over her meal, dabbing a forkful of pork into a pool of sauce on the plate.


    ¡°Y-you¡¯ve never paid much attention to my burn ¡­¡± said the girl, eyes downcast.


    Schuler swallowed a bit of sausage before turning his head to her. ¡°Why would I?¡±


    ¡°Appearances are so important to women. I look awful. Young men turn away from me. Children stare at me in fear. I¡¯m a monster to them.¡±


    ¡°Patience ¡­ I grew up with maimed and disfigured war veterans all around me. If I learned anything from them, it¡¯s that appearances do not a monster make.¡±


    Patience smiled and pulled away from her plate to meet Schuler¡¯s gaze. If only more people were like him. The pair finished their meals as they exchanged snide remarks about the family in low tones. It was a petty but satisfying remedy. Plates cleared and bill paid, they rose to leave. Patience¡¯s head flipped over to see the couple still seated nearby. They gently stroked each other¡¯s hands, eyes locked together, lost in a dream, food far from being finished. Patience raised an eyebrow as a thought wormed into her mind.


    Nervous hands wrung together as the girl trailed behind Schuler on their walk back to his apartment. It would be immodest to ask; he might think less of her if she spilled such a question from her lips. However, curiosity was a vile disease and consumed her whole being at the very nibble of a thought.


    Once in the privacy of the apartment, Patience sat in her previous spot. Her back was straight as a board, hands tensely folded in her lap. Taking notice, Schuler slowed to a halt on his way to the kitchen, before he could boil more water.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Patience? Still upset about that family?¡±


    The girl shook her head. She swallowed. ¡°I wanted to ask you something. It may be a bit improper ¡­¡±


    ¡°Go on. I don¡¯t mind,¡± reassured the man.


    ¡°Did you ¡­ have company? At any time during your tour?¡±


    Schuler mildly choked on his own saliva before meeting her gaze. Unable to lie to her, he replied, ¡°A brief affair with one of the chorus, but she ended up with Celeste¡¯s manager.¡±


    A sigh escaped the girl¡¯s lips as a weight lifted off her chest. They were familiar. They were close. No question seemed too personal. While any other person might have gasped and moved away from the discussion incensed or shut her down completely, Schuler took it in stride. That was something she had always admired about him.


    With the affirmation, the girl glanced upward, taking in the full visage of the man. A fabricated image of him nude with a woman briefly flashed through her mind. Never before had she entertained the idea of him being intimate with anyone. But he was a man with urges like so many others. It was slightly foolish for her to hold on to such a pure and innocent idea of Schuler. Patience smirked, drawing the man¡¯s focus.


    ¡°Pardon my impudence, but did you? Have company?¡± he asked.


    She remained silent.


    ¡°You did! With whom?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to say,¡± said Patience, looking away. She could not resist letting a coy smile bend her lip.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s just not fair,¡± Schuler whined with a smirk.


    In each other¡¯s presence, they had a gift of turning conversations to more lighter destinations. Patience appreciated how casual they could be together. Perhaps it was to their detriment, never laying out their feelings thoroughly, but neither of them minded in the here and now. Time passed in idle conversation, another pot of tea emptied. Patience glanced outside the window and noticed the sun beginning to recline into the horizon.


    ¡°I should start heading home before it gets dark,¡± Patience sighed, shifting onto her feet.


    ¡°Oh! Before you go, want to hear a song Celeste is working into her routine?¡±


    She smiled as she settled back into the sofa. ¡°Of course. I always love to hear you play.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± said Schuler, rushing to his bedroom for his guitar. The girl could not help but laugh to herself. Schuler had the alacrity of a schoolboy whenever it came to showing off new songs. Cradling his honey instrument in his arms as one would a babe, he pulled over a stool from the corner and sat opposite of Patience.


    Schuler cleared his throat despite never singing anything and needlessly rolled his shoulders to limber up. Patience stifled a giggle. Striking the first chord, he then unleashed a flurry of notes. His fingers danced across the strings and fretboard like a scuttling spider. She knew not why hearing Schuler play his guitar sent her cheeks flushing. Indeed the man was talented, but his skill was not unequaled. Perhaps it was the fact he was so zealous to share his gift with her, and she did not feel deserving.


    In spite of the music, a quiet serenity overtook the pair. Swaying with his strumming, Schuler coaxed Patience into a trance. She hardly paid attention to the lively melody, getting lost in Schuler¡¯s effortless hands instead. Every strum, pick, and light knock on the guitar¡¯s body came to him intuitively. Schuler seemed to have his eyes closed half of the time. It was not until the man trailed off the melody, plucking the strings softer and softer, that Patience came to her senses again. Schuler leaned back in the stool, letting his hands rest on the maple body. His mouth curled into a half smile.


    ¡°So, your thoughts?¡±


    Patience beamed giddily and shrugged. ¡°Everything you do is wonderful. What else can I say?¡±


    Satisfied with that answer, Schuler chuckled and got up. He reached out a hand to Patience, escorting her to the door. ¡°I had a great day with you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll say the same,¡± said Patience. She hefted Anax¡¯s skull under one arm and tucked the snuff bottle into her corset.


    ¡°Do come again.¡±


    ¡°I will. Soon!¡±


    She waved. Her feet tapped lightly to the landing. Schuler tipped his head and watched her descend the stairs. Before her head disappeared below the floor, she peered back at the musician, gifting him one last smile for the day.

 (8) Silence

    Out in the golden lit streets of Keaton, Patience fitted Anax over her head once again. People no longer occupied the road or sidewalks and instead flocked to pubs, restaurants, and home for supper. The girl strolled amongst twirling phantoms kicked up by a gentle wind. The crunch of dirt and pebbles under her boots tickled her ears. She smiled. The melody of Schuler¡¯s song percolated into her mind even though she did not remember paying attention to it.


    ¡°How did it go?¡± asked the skull.


    ¡°It went much better than I feared. It was like he never left,¡± Patience replied.


    Anax grunted in acknowledgement.


    ¡°I forgot how much I missed him.¡±


    Anax grunted again.


    ¡°D-do you mind me going to see him?¡± Patience asked.


    ¡°What are we supposed to do with Schuler?¡± Anax muttered.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Patience slowed her pace.


    ¡°He still has his eyes on you. I can¡¯t share my pet.¡±


    ¡°And why not?¡± warbled the girl, heart fluttering at the notion of Schuler¡¯s continued interest.


    ¡°I¡¯ve claimed you. No one else can touch you,¡± growled the skull.


    ¡°Is that the way of your kind?¡± questioned Patience, furrowing her brow.


    ¡°We do not touch other females if they¡¯ve been claimed, unless we seek a fight. We are a ¡­ patriarchy.¡±


    ¡°¡®Patriarchy¡¯?¡± repeated Patience incredulously.


    ¡°From what I figure, reading the books on your shelves.¡±


    She stopped in her tracks. ¡°You read those?¡± marveled the girl.


    ¡°I do some nights as you sleep.¡±


    She pictured his tendrils snaking to the parlor and bringing back books to her bedside. Patience thought she had been needing to refill the kerosene lamp more often than usual. She supposed the skull would eventually have to do something to alleviate his boredom while she slept. At least he was considerate enough to return the books to their places.


    Shaking off her astonishment, the girl continued down the street. ¡°Claimed or not, this is my world. You said you wanted to learn about it,¡± she huffed.


    Anax burbled an acquiescing grumble.


    ¡°I¡¯ve still got a mind of my own.¡±


    ¡°Only I¡¯ve allowed you to. Do you really want to see what my kind can do?¡± rumbled Anax. He suddenly steered Patience into a dark alley with jabs from his tendrils. The afternoon drifted away from the girl in a fleeing canvas before her vision.


    ¡°Need I remind you of what I¡¯m capable of?¡± he hissed.


    Anax wrapped Patience in his own body faster than she could blink. Held in the suffocating grip of his mist, the light escaped from her eyes. Alone in the powdery dusk of the alley, the girl was at the mercy of the wanton will of the skull atop her head. Unshaken, the smallest chortle bubbled at the back of her mind. Anax appeared to be jealous. What a thought.


    Her face softened. ¡°Of course, Anax,¡± Patience cooed. ¡°We have something special. Nothing could break the bond we have. Not even Schuler.¡±


    Anax released his hold and allowed Patience to walk back into the light. The girl smiled, she knew she could learn to talk him down. She did hold some power over him after all. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go find something interesting before we leave for home.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± muttered Anax.


    Patience walked away from that alley with a slight spring in her step.


    Having already seen her usual stops the past couple of times, Patience took Anax to the streets less trampled in Keaton. They passed by a lot where traveling merchants were allowed to park their caravans for a small price. Their draft animals were boarded in stables across the road. These mobile homes thrummed with life. People casually sat around their outer steps, chatting and playing cards. A few children ran about, chasing each other. A pair of cats sauntered over to Patience, rubbed against her leg, and promptly flopped onto the dusty road to soak up the dying sunlight. Patience watched Anax¡¯s marble of an eye drift around its socket. Heavy scents of stewing meals and incense wafted through the air. Steam and smoke drifted across the lot, casting a hazy sheet over the migrants.


    Anax began to stutter, ¡°Is¡ªis that?¡±


    ¡°Anax? What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    But before he could respond, Patience felt the skull slip from her head. Instinctively she reached up, holding it in place. Something was not right, Anax always held fast to her crown.


    ¡°Anax?¡± repeated the girl. He was absent. Fear slammed into her heart. Patience hurried to a quiet section of road. To her horror, she removed Anax¡¯s skull from her head with no resistance. Even when he allowed her to, she always felt a slight force whenever she dislodged him, like pulling apart magnets. The skull rested in her hands as lifeless as when she first held him above the wooden crate in her kitchen.


    ¡°Oh, God! What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Not knowing what else to do, she turned on her heels and headed for home. She ran as fast as she could, keeping Anax on her head with trembling hands. As if her feet were carried by the winds, Patience sprinted down the road. A mounting feeling of dread loomed over her. With each step she took, the fear knocked harder in her chest. It was difficult keeping the skull in place. The girl was beginning to lose her breath to exertion, to panic.


    All this time she thought Anax in his second life to be invincible. Weeks ago she might have been glad to have this creature gone from her life. Now it was the last thing she wanted. When she had just began feeling comfortable around him, when she began to value his friendship, he was stripped away. What was worse than having him gone was not knowing the cause of this. Anax was so strong and far removed from the physiological standards most creatures had. The thought of anything being able to harm him was beyond Patience.


    The old pangs of loss welled in her stomach. Not again. Not another person. Even if he was difficult, he was invaluable. He was the one to spark life into her being again. He awakened a part within her she never even fathomed existing. Even if he found her boring at times, she had to keep him as long as she could. She had to try.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Keaton quickly receded behind the bounding figure. The corners of Patience¡¯s eyes started to sting. Every footfall sent a shock of blood up her heavy legs. Her throat cinched. Her breaths came out ragged. Desperation grew as lumps of leaded hopelessness formed in her veins. Patience gritted her teeth.


    The dread grew, threatening to swallow her as the horizon did the sun. That was until she had crossed the bridge and a distinct pull tugged her crown. Patience stopped in her tracks to be certain it was not just her hair catching on the skull somewhere.


    ¡°Anax?¡± she whimpered.


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± he replied distantly.


    Instantly relieved, she leaned against a stretch of fence along the road. ¡°Thank God! What happened?¡± Patience cried, chest heaving.


    ¡°Burning lavender. As a second-born, our bodies naturally retract into our skull and we become inert.¡± His voice was stronger now.


    ¡°Wh-why is that?¡±


    ¡°It is poisonous to us. In our first lives as well. If we are exposed to too much, it corrodes us. To become inert is a safeguard to protect our bodies from the smoke. I am fine now. ¡±


    ¡°Oh thank God,¡± the girl repeated. Having caught some of her breath, Patience resumed making her way home. ¡°I¡¯m happy you¡¯re okay.¡±


    ¡°As am I,¡± said Anax sounding as he usually did again.


    ¡°I was really concerned ¡­¡± she sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad.¡±


    Patience¡¯s heart finally returned to its normal pace. She glanced at the setting sun, eyes shaded by Anax¡¯s skull, and continued onward. Still unnerved, the girl ventured to distract herself with questions.


    ¡°What happens to the life-donors when a skull becomes inert?¡±


    ¡°In such an instance they have full control once more and can remove us. The humans in my homeland have caught on to this. Mostly. They say burning lavender wards off us monsters and can bring back lost souls. A superstition that actually holds some truth.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for telling me. Are there any other plants or herbs you know are poisonous to you? I wouldn¡¯t want to accidentally burn supper one night and have you go limp on me,¡± said Patience, rubbing her shoulders. The sun was fading fast and home was still a ways away.


    ¡°That is all that is known to us. I cannot say for certain that flora from exotic lands won¡¯t harm us though.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to be careful.¡±


    Just as the violet of dusk faded to dark, Patience entered her front gate.


    ¡°Glad we got back in time! It¡¯s a new moon tonight and I don¡¯t know if I could have found our way home,¡± she laughed.


    ¡°Good. I¡¯m no help,¡± Anax remarked.


    ¡°Really? Your night vision is poor?¡±


    ¡°My kind are active during the day,¡± he explained.


    Patience made an interested noise, her mind occupied elsewhere. The lunch with Schuler continued to stave off her hunger, but the girl started preparations for a light supper regardless. She cut a potato, laying the slices on the bottom of an iron ramekin. A splash of egg and spinach followed in alternating layers with the remaining slices as the girl built up a small casserole. Patience hummed happily, thankful to have a quiet night with Anax. Realizing that the skull meant a lot more to her now than she initially thought, she knew she had to tell Schuler.


    ¡°Say ¡­¡± Patience mused as she put her supper in the oven, ¡°are you feeling peckish ¡­ for flesh?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, after having to go nearly a whole day without you and then a forced sleep, yes. I would like to mark you,¡± Anax grunted, his form already straining to solidify behind her.


    She laughed to herself. He was all hers. With a quick nod, Patience permitted him to proceed. At once a flurry of tendrils exploded from his manifested body, whipping around undressing her and binding her against his front. His arms formed and groped her all over, seemingly to re-familiarize himself with her body. With ease, he lifted her up and brought her to the bedroom.


    Their coupling quelled any concern in Patience. Anax was here and back to his normal self. In fact he seemed especially determined to make his presence known. His arms wrapped over her chest so closely they partially phased into her bosom. Anax clung to her as if he would lose her the moment he relinquished his grasp. Never did Patience imagine anyone desiring her nor her body to this extent. Strange as it was, it felt fulfilling.


    Atop of her bed, she lay cocooned in his embrace from her neck to her feet. Her eyes traveled across the ceiling, its surface as blank as her mind. All she sensed was Anax writhing below her, the fire building in her pelvis. Loud growls ripped around her head, announcing to the world he had sole claim to her body. He planted his clawed toes into her quilt, pistoning upward with each thrust. Patience could have very well flew off had it not been for his coils keeping her tight against him.


    A few misty ropes had bound Patience¡¯s legs together, rendering her immobile. Only her forearms had enough room to move around, and they were currently gripping onto Anax¡¯s arms for dear life. Encouraged by their reunion and the tightness between her legs, Anax bucked furiously. Had the ceiling in the cottage been lower, Patience was sure her feet might have touched it with how high he propelled her. The intense jostling nearly became too much to bear.


    Patience¡¯s silent prayers were answered when Anax fell back onto the bed. He splayed out his legs, resting for a moment. Patience breathed deeply to settle her stomach. Then she felt the coils around her grow tighter. Slowly they forced her body to fold up. The skull¡¯s teeth rested on her knees as Patience curled into a tight ball, Anax¡¯s body encasing her.


    A low grumble rolled over her neck when Anax resumed thrusting. His pelvis barely left her backside as he ground into her cavity. His ropes bound her tighter and tighter. Anax¡¯s body seemed desperate to place itself impossibly close to Patience, a meted response to their time apart and the scare of almost losing each other. It flickered between solid and smoke, ultimately choosing a solid being if only to feel the intense pleasure. A pressure engulfed Patience from all around, but the spot needing release the greatest held fast between her legs.


    More tendrils strapped across her skin. He was not warm, but Patience felt the nerves all over her body fire off against his heavy presence. She felt hot. It was her own body heat being reflected back. Like a sauna, it was almost suffocating.


    ¡°A-Anax,¡± Patience gasped.


    He pumped harder. A final, additional rope formed. This one emerged from the base of his cock. It glided against her slit, wedging between her legs up to her navel, and pressed into her front. Patience moaned, rocking her hips into this new member. Whether it was Anax¡¯s slick surface or her own flowing juices, she delighted in feeling the sliding wetness along her folds. Anax¡¯s cock filled her. His tendril titillated her. Together they touched Patience¡¯s tipping point.


    They opened the gate, and all the pressure felt over her body released through her sex. Patience whimpered, bucking and grinding into Anax¡¯s cock and its assistant. The skull¡¯s rumbles turned to chuckles. He let her enjoy her climax until she calmed.


    ¡°My turn,¡± he said. Still bound tightly, Patience allowed her body to go limp. She was satisfied. Now she could simply sit back and let Anax fulfill his own desires.


    He withdrew the tendril at her front and resumed his more accustomed rhythm. Thrusting vigorously, he drove deep into her hole. Rolling over onto their sides, Anax then slowed his pace, making each push more intense than the last. Finally a growl erupted around Patience¡¯s ears. His seed began spurting before he pulled out to paint streaks onto her body and bed. With its remaining stiffness, he inserted himself for the final time, pumping his last stream inside her.


    Emptied and yet filling to the bring with pleasure, Anax dissipated into a river of fog cascading over the edge of the bed. Freed from her bindings, Patience stretched out on her quilt. She ran a finger through the smears of Anax¡¯s seed. It looked much like the rest of his vaporous body, slightly cloudy, mostly clear. Wet at first, it evaporated within a minute, leaving Patience¡¯s skin as dry as before. She checked the stains on the bed and they were gone as well leaving no trace behind.


    ¡°How curious,¡± mused the girl. She then rose to clean up and return to the kitchen just in time to take her supper out of the oven.


    Patience bit into a slice of potato, watching Anax¡¯s slim tendril dip into the ramekin. Her eyes softened. The skull was now cemented into her life. She could not imagine herself without him. He had changed her; for the better, the girl believed. The grainy starch tumbled around her mouth before she swallowed. Now was as good a time as any to make her statement.


    ¡°I have to tell Schuler about you. He¡¯s the most important person to me still on this earth and he¡¯s not going away any time soon.¡±


    Anax¡¯s tendril lifted away, disappearing back into his body. He sighed dreamily. ¡°Are you sure he won¡¯t bring trouble to us?¡± The skull was still relaxed from his release.


    ¡°He still cares for me. I trust him ¡­¡± said the girl. ¡°He could even help us, should we ever need it.¡±


    Anax huffed. The orb of his eye rolled. ¡°If you¡¯re sure. Very well.¡±


    She beamed.

 (9) Revelation

    The next day, Patience entered town at half past two. All morning she drafted her plan to break the news to Schuler, reciting the scripted lines over and over. She bought a bottle of beer for the man, a peace offering, a pacifier. As resolute as she was, upon the steps leading up to Schuler¡¯s floor, the girl hesitated. A nervous lump was lodged in her throat and her breathing came out in shallow wafts. This could be the stone that kills the sinner. She could lose Schuler forever.


    ¡°Oh! Patience! I wasn¡¯t expecting you to drop by!¡±


    The girl startled, rattling the upturned skull in her arms and the bottle resting inside it. She whirled around to lock eyes with Schuler. Immediately any lines she wrote flew out of her head. All she had to fall on was her gift. Fortunately though, seeing his face ignited the hope and trust that he would accept her and Anax.


    ¡°I was h-hoping to see you today,¡± she stuttered.


    ¡°I was just out dropping off some mail,¡± said the man as he loped over the remaining steps. Patience followed him. She shyly peeked at the seat of his pants as he hunched over to unlock his door.


    ¡°Can I come in? I have something important to tell you.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± He ushered her inside.


    Patience sat on the sofa in the same spot as she had the other day. Her back was straight and rigid, arms tensely cradling the skull in her lap. Schuler stood before her.


    ¡°Can I get you something to drink?¡± he offered.


    ¡°Nothing for me, thanks. But here, I brought this for you,¡± the girl said, handing him the beer.


    ¡°Thanks, Patience.¡±


    ¡°Please, go on and open it. Drink up,¡± Patience squeaked, shifting her eyes to Anax. She flipped him right side up again. Her fingers flexed nervously under the shade of the skull.


    ¡°Um, okay,¡± said Schuler.


    Taking a jackknife from his pocket, he opened the bottle with a quick flourish. Patience looked up expectantly at him. His lips wrapped around the brown glass.


    ¡°So what did you have to tell me?¡±


    ¡°Maybe you should sit down.¡±


    Obliging, Schuler plopped into the armchair. Another sip slid down his throat. He turned his head slightly to look out the window, taking note of light. ¡°Will this take very long? I made plans to have supper with my friend Whit and his wife tonight.¡±


    ¡°Well, depending on your reaction ¡­ er, no. It won¡¯t take too long,¡± Patience croaked.


    ¡°Is everything all right?¡± asked Schuler, knitting his brows.


    ¡°Yes! Everything is quite fine! It¡¯s just ¡­¡± Patience swallowed and mustered her courage.


    ¡°I¡¯m all ears,¡± said the man supportively.


    Patience lifted Anax to her chest. ¡°This skull. It¡ªwell, it talks. It¡¯s a living¡ªis he alive? In a way I guess. Er, he¡¯s a living being.¡±


    Schuler lifted an eyebrow.


    ¡°I¡¯m ¡­ his life-donor,¡± the girl gulped.


    She quickly put on the skull, partially to hide her own embarrassment.


    ¡°Hi. I¡¯m Anax,¡± said the skull.


    Schuler reeled backward with a yelp, tipping the heavy armchair slightly. ¡°What IS it?¡±


    ¡°Just your average monster from a faraway land, I suppose,¡± Patience laughed nervously. Seeing that she seemed to be unaffected, Schuler leaned closer toward her, eyes wide open. He took another swig of beer.


    ¡°How long have you had ¡­ this?¡±


    ¡°Just over two weeks now.¡±


    Schuler rubbed a hand against his forehead, a feeble attempt to process this news faster. ¡°You¡¯re his host?¡± he asked.


    The girl nodded, Anax bobbing with her head.


    ¡°Is he hurting you in anyway?¡±


    ¡°Sure, disregard my presence,¡± sighed Anax. Schuler noticeably jerked again at the sound of the skull¡¯s voice.


    ¡°No! He doesn¡¯t hurt me at all,¡± Patience explained. ¡°I mean he can be taxing to talk to and deal with but¡ª¡±


    ¡°I give her pleasure,¡± Anax interjected.


    ¡°Anax! Don¡¯t tell him that!¡±


    Schuler choked, ¡°You two HAVE¡ª¡± Unable to utter another word, all the bewildered man could do was gesture at Patience, beer in hand.


    ¡°Yeah. Sorry,¡± the girl said.


    Schuler ran a hand through his hair, sweeping it back against his scalp. His eyes bulged as he exhaled. To Patience¡¯s surprise, he started chuckling.


    ¡°Only you, Patience! Only you!¡± Schuler chortled.


    Patience turned beet red and pulled Anax from her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! He¡¯s just so persistent and I¡¯ve never felt anything like it!¡± she cried.


    Schuler snapped upright, a puzzled expression across his brow. ¡°Hey! What are you apologizing for?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s shameful,¡± Patience whimpered. ¡°Any upstanding lady would never have gone near this skull, let alone enjoy what it does with her. I¡¯m a harlot.¡±


    The man left his seat to crouch in front of the girl on his sofa. ¡°Patience, I¡¯m sorry if what I said came off in the wrong way. I meant only you would look at the stranger things in life and find beauty. And that¡¯s what I love about you.¡±


    Patience met his gaze, blinking back tears.


    Schuler smiled at her. ¡°You¡¯re not a harlot.¡± He bent toward her, planting a light kiss on her forehead. Pulling back, he grinned slightly wider. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with indulging in the pleasures of the flesh.¡±


    ¡°Even with ¡­ this?¡± she whispered, peering down at Anax between her hands.


    ¡°Er, well. It¡¯s certainly unconventional ¡­¡± said Schuler, tipping the bottle into his mouth. ¡°But if he¡¯s good to you ¡­ then ¡­ why not?¡±


    Schuler returned to his seat, hanging his arms off the side of the armrests. He exhaled sharply again and drank a bit more. The bottle was now nearly half empty. ¡°Thanks for this, by the way.¡±


    Patience bowed her head with a small smile.


    Schuler raised an eyebrow. ¡°So ¡­ he was your first?¡±


    Patience looked away from him, flushing. ¡°Y-yeah.¡±


    ¡°Can I talk to him?¡±


    She nodded, returning Anax to her crown.


    Schuler stared into the sockets of the skull. Anax¡¯s orb appeared as barely a glint in the bright afternoon sun streaming in through the windows. The man cleared his throat and said sternly, ¡°I hope you know how lucky you are to have Patience here. Don¡¯t take her for granted.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± replied the skull, ¡°I may be a bit rough at times, but I care for my pet above all else.¡± Anax formed an arm and placed it over Patience¡¯s chest. Schuler jerked back again. He coughed a couple of times to brush it off, taking another sip. Patience could not help letting out a quiet giggle. Reassured, Schuler relaxed into the armchair and shot Patience a glance.


    ¡°Is that all the news?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°Good. I don¡¯t think I could take any more without another bottle or two,¡± Schuler huffed, breaking into a chuckle that was soon joined by Patience¡¯s own. They then fell into a comfortable silence. A weight lifted off of Patience¡¯s chest. With the air cleared, she could breathe again.


    ¡°So,¡± began Schuler with a small smirk, holding the bottle to his chin, ¡°is he any good?¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Patience recoiled and gasped, ¡°I¡¯m not going to say!¡±


    ¡°I make her sopping wet,¡± Anax purred.


    ¡°ANAX!¡± she shrieked. The girl stood up with a start and headed for the door. ¡°I should go now.¡± All she could hear aside from the pounding of her heart was a gentle string of snickering. The man got up to see her out.


    As Patience stepped toward the front door, she whirled around to catch Schuler¡¯s gaze. ¡°No one can know of this. If word gets out of what this skull can do ¡­!¡±


    ¡°I promise you, Patience. I won¡¯t make a peep about the skull. I don¡¯t want you harmed or inconvenienced in any way. So long as you are happy and healthy with this ¡­ Anax, was it?¡±


    ¡°Mhm,¡± the skull affirmed.


    The girl met Schuler¡¯s eyes, taking Anax off. ¡°I know it¡¯s odd, but I hope this doesn¡¯t affect us in anyway. Even with Anax in the picture ¡­ don¡¯t be a stranger. Please, Schuler.¡±


    Falling into her honey gaze, Schuler curled his lips into a smile and passed a finger under Patience¡¯s round jaw. ¡°Hm, what can I say? You¡¯re still you. You got my word.¡± Patience felt her face tingle, she flashed him one last smile before ducking behind the door to enter the hallway.


    ¡°He took that well!¡± mused Anax in the lobby.


    ¡°Perhaps save the fact that we¡¯ve laid with each other for the next meeting? And not disclose how I respond to you?¡± Patience grumbled, the heat in her face cooling off by a degree.


    ¡°What can I say? I take pride in my work.¡±


    Patience scoffed.


    To celebrate, the pair made a quick stop at the butcher¡¯s for a slab of pork belly. Anax fell silent in awe of all the meat displayed in the shop. His slim tendrils wove through Patience¡¯s braid to prick the back of her neck, sharing his excitement with the one person he could. As an additional treat, she bought several ounces of jerky. However, they could not dawdle long. The girl made sure to leave Keaton before the sun dipped too low, avoiding the street of traveling merchants for good measure.


    Anax could barely contain himself as the pork belly popped and sizzled in the pan that night. Patience had to smack away errant tendrils trying to sneak a taste. Of course his touch would not affect the meat in anyway, she just thought it rude that he would savor it before herself. Once the pork was seared appropriately on both sides, she tossed in some chopped greens and placed the whole pan in the oven to finish cooking. Anax cursed the iron black chamber detaining the succulent meat.


    ¡°What books have you read?¡± asked Patience, entering the parlor. She glanced over the shelves as she awaited supper.


    ¡°These so far.¡± Anax reached a tendril across two spines. Patience recognized them to be some of her father¡¯s favorites, one was a compendium of world cultures, the other a brief history of Eureban colonization. Patience had read them before, ages ago.


    ¡°Did you enjoy them?¡±


    ¡°I enjoy learning from them.¡±


    The girl wondered how long it would take for the skull to complete their entire library. Aside from the several books stored in her father¡¯s atelier, the entire collection was housed in the five levels of shelving barely the width of the armchair. A modest and unremarkable collection among learned men, the Firmins treasured it nonetheless. Patience hoped it was adequate in staving off Anax¡¯s boredom for the time being.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see these places one day,¡± he said.


    The girl¡¯s heart sank. Patience was not averse to travel now that she had a partner, however she only had the means to keep herself from starving. To go across the country or oceans would require a hefty sum. There were her savings of course, but that was sacred. The girl restricted herself from dipping into the cache. It was meant only for something special.


    She watched Anax glide his tendril over the neighboring tomes, the orb of his eye tracking the titles. She could only imagine the depth of his thirst for knowledge. If his appetite for her body was any indication, he would finish this collection within months. Perhaps she could visit town hall and have Anax read through the records there, if he would even be interested in that sort of thing. A light murmur of a growl snapped Patience from her pondering.


    ¡°Which are your favorite books?¡± asked the skull.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Genuinely surprised he inquired, Patience fumbled to find the spines of her adventure novels. ¡°I¡¯m quite fond of these. A couple are true accounts, but my absolute favorite is this one.¡± Her finger brushed against a read leather spine, tracing golden stamped letters. ¡°It¡¯s about a group of men who travel to the center of the earth.¡±


    ¡°It is a fiction?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Why write stories about things that never happen?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fun. Certainly real life can be mundane, cruel at worst, so people enjoy reading fanciful tales to get their minds away from things.¡±


    ¡°Hm ¡­ there is no useful information to be gleaned.¡±


    Patience smirked. ¡°There is no useful gain in coupling with me, but you do it for pleasure. It¡¯s the same idea.¡±


    Anax had to agree with that.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he asked, tendril tapping a wide brown leather spine.


    ¡°A bestiary. Incomplete, obviously, as I¡¯ve never heard nor read of a beast like you.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be fun to go out and discover more creatures to fill it!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it would be,¡± said the girl with a frown. ¡°But that costs money. Even the most renowned adventurers have to have institutions fund their expeditions.¡± She straightened her back. ¡°At the very least we get to read about their exploits.¡± Patience pulled a book from the shelf, the archaeologist¡¯s diary that her parents had gifted her years ago. This diverted Anax¡¯s attention well enough.


    After sharing a few of her other recommendations, the two returned to the kitchen to enjoy supper at last. Anax could not get to the meat fast enough and nearly knocked the hunk of pork belly off the plate as the girl brought her meal to the table. With admonishment from Patience, he restrained himself and lapped it daintily with a tendril. Patience could not help but smile between mouthfuls.


    Hours passed into the evening until each lamp in the kitchen and parlor extinguished. Washed and dressed, Patience strode through the dark hallway and clambered into bed. She reclined onto her side, arms tucked under her pillow. She breathed in her own familiar scent. The dancing flame over her nightstand charmed her, casting shifting shadows on the walls. Inexplicably, her mind wandered to that vision of Schuler bedding the chorus member. A shiver ran down the her body.


    ¡°You seem preoccupied. Thinking of something?¡± Anax remarked.


    ¡°Huh? I wasn¡¯t,¡± said Patience absentmindedly. Her mouth wrinkled. She rested there a moment before speaking meekly, ¡°Anax ¡­¡±


    ¡°Mm?¡±


    ¡°Could you form your body?¡±


    She felt the familiar form materialize behind her: chest, arms, torso, pelvis, legs. Slowly, she twisted her way around to lie on her other side, ultimately staring at the back of Anax¡¯s skull, blind in the darkness. Patience did not need her sight however, she only needed to feel the hard chest against her breasts, his bulge against her groin. Face buried in the thick of his throat, she wrapped her arms around his waist, bringing him closer. She expected her right arm to be uncomfortably wedged between Anax¡¯s body and the covers, but he allowed her to partially phase through his body. For a moment, he brought his arms around and held her.


    Patience could have almost fallen asleep in his embrace until Anax started to remove her nightgown. She protested as much as a rag doll could. His claws grabbed into her backside, forcing her closer. He began rubbing into her gap. The firm motions ushered an aching heat inside. Patience¡¯s hand traveled around to his buttocks, feeling them clench as he flexed against her. Matching his hip rolls to her breathing, he teased out drips of fluid and delighted in the sounds it made between flesh. Anax clutched her waist and shifted them so that he was on top of her.


    ¡°Lovely how many ways humans can mate. You¡¯re a flexible bunch!¡± Anax commented. It was strange feeling his voice hit the top of her brow. Anax reached around behind her, arranging the pillows so as to rest his snout and she her neck. The very base of the back of his skull rested on the bridge of her nose, a misty hide padding it. She thought it would be difficult to breath stuffed into his neck like this, but his being passed through her lungs as any fog rolling over gray hills.


    ¡°You¡¯re so soft too!¡± He gripped onto the meat of her thighs.


    She shuddered as his growls peppered her jaw.


    Although he kept a hulking frame, Patience welcomed the weight atop her, it only aided in providing delicious resistance for the pit of her pelvis. Anax resumed rubbing his cock through her drooling bottom lips, coating his shaft with her fluids. Patience briefly wondered if this was what it felt like being with a human man, the current feeling from her neck up aside. He pressed his length against her slit, drawing a soft moan from her mouth. Patience arched her hips to urge him on.


    ¡°Eager, are we?¡± he chuckled. Without so much as a grunt more, Anax inserted himself. His length slid in smoothly, much to Patience¡¯s chagrin. ¡°Hm, very eager!¡±


    As Anax began thrusting, Patience¡¯s hands wandered across his back. She explored every hill and valley of muscle and wondered how odd it was for him to be solid, yet she could breathe through his neck so easily.


    Suddenly Anax let out a loud grunt as he shoved her harder into the bed, ¡°I could do this every day with you!¡±


    Patience smirked. ¡°Am I the best you¡¯ve had?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve not been with many¡ªbut this is much better than the way my kind mate. I¡¯ve witnessed deer and small mammals rutting at home, but never thought it¡¯d feel so nice,¡± he huffed.


    The image of his original penis formed in Patience¡¯s mind. She had seen insects mate before and imagined his species¡¯ process to be similar. It did not seem to be that comfortable. Patience silently thanked Anax¡¯s ability to shift shape. Her hand smoothed over his ass as he continued to pump.


    ¡°I can get addicted to this,¡± he rumbled.


    Patience chuckled, ¡°Aren¡¯t you already?¡±


    Anax groaned, reaching his claws underneath her body. He clutched her cheeks as he spread his legs to straddle her and the bed. He plowed into her hole, enjoying how tightly she held her legs together.


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    She warmed at the thought of how much Anax desired her. Feeling his chest grind against hers with each of his thrusts was a physical affirmation. How he lost himself to his basest instincts aroused her even more. The slick slap of wet flesh met her ears. At that moment, she noticed the gentle swirling of a misty coil on her side. It then multiplied around her body.


    Sightless, Patience could not forecast where tendrils would touch her next. She felt the hefty presence of Anax¡¯s limbs and cock, but every little surprise caress from some stray tendril sent a tingle of excitement over her skin. As Anax drove her closer to the peak, more and more tendrils licked her. From her shoulders, to her hips, to her thighs, the sparks fed into a blaze. Patience jerked her head backward into the stack of pillows when it all became too much. Stifled cries fell from her mouth as her entire body quivered, inside and out.


    ¡°Yes! That¡¯s my pet!¡± Anax hissed. Patience could barely hear him amidst her own moans and pants. Her inner walls pulsed around the cock wedged between them. Driven to his own ecstasy, Anax slammed into her, gripping her ass as hard as he could without piercing her skin with his claws. His cock swelled and pumped out its seed.


    They remained connected as Anax relaxed atop her. Patience¡¯s mind drifted to the words she spoke earlier in the day. Harlot. This was the second day in a row that she had coupled with the skull. To enjoy the touch of this monster was surely not a thing to be encouraged. She was confident she would be shunned even more harshly than witches once were, should the pious ever find out.


    But Schuler accepted her. He said there was nothing wrong. A smile graced her lips. That was all that mattered. What did she care for the presumed opinions of people she barely even knew. Anax was her secret. A sultry, ravenous secret, burning hotter than red, glowing coals. Schuler had no qualms about living a free life. Patience figured she ought to do the same. If this path did lead to debauchery and the damnation of her soul, then she would try and enjoy it each step of the way.


    Patience brought her hands up to twist Anax¡¯s skull the right way around again. However, he stopped her and fulfilled the task himself. He withdrew and dissipated into an amorphous fog. He slid behind Patience¡¯s neck, righting the skull, before seeping around her head and neck to cushion her as he did every night ever since she had first worn him. Blinking, the girl was surprised to find the lamp had burned out. The chemical concoction running through her body was too intoxicating to resist, so she nestled into the sheets as sleep overcame her.

 (10) Cemetery

    A string of sunny days blessed the countryside, casting away the last chill of winter. The good weather coaxed Patience into spending more time in the yard. She found herself taking more care with the landscaping and exterior. Winter was finally gone and now the bright days ahead would only show how unkempt the property had gotten. The girl trimmed down bushes, swept the stone path, and beat away webs and leaf litter stuck to the cottage¡¯s brick foundation. Easy tasks to fuel a bit of pride in her home.


    Each day saw new needs arise. Rosamund¡¯s chicks were growing strong, and in their burgeoning independence found it fun to squeeze through the wire fencing to reach the sprouting garden. Patience threw down planks of wood along the perimeter to bar their entry while Anax scooped up any errant chicks with his tendrils. By now the hens had grown accustomed to this creature, even braving a few pecks at his mist to which he would never respond.


    Today the pair turned their attention to the front of the property. While the sprouting weeds were less of a threat among the flowerbeds, they had to be controlled nonetheless. Patience yanked the worst offenders from the company of trilliums and bleeding hearts. However, several dandelions remained untouched as the girl had plans to harvest the greens and crowns later in the season.


    Patience was just setting a loose stone back into its place along the flowerbed when the sound of a familiar engine putting drifted up the road. She rose to see the forest green shape glide to the front gate. The man astride the motorbike pulled down his goggles, shaking out his wind-plastered hair.


    ¡°Schuler! What a surprise!¡± Patience chirped. Before she was aware, her feet had brought her to the gate. A flash of color caught her eyes. Tucked into Schuler¡¯s bag was a bouquet of flowers. Her mouth drew into a tight line. ¡°Oh ¡­ I thought you knew how I felt about cut flowers ¡­¡±


    The musician chuckled. ¡°These are for you parents. I was going to pay them a visit. I figured I¡¯d come by to ask¡ªdid you want ¡­¡± he trailed off as he saw Patience dip her head. ¡°Unless you already went recently.¡±


    ¡°No! No ¡­ I haven¡¯t ¡­¡± sighed Patience. For all the work she had done maintaining the house in their honor, she had only visited the joint grave once since her mother reunited with her father. The guilt consumed her and crackled through her voice. ¡°I¡¯ll ¡­ I¡¯ll come with you. Please allow me a few minutes to get ready.¡±


    Schuler nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll be by the gate.¡±


    Patience waved in acknowledgement and stepped over to the water pump to wash her hands. The cold stream numbed her fingers, nearly enough to cause pain.


    ¡°Schuler said he wants to visit your parents? But they are deceased,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°Yes, but they¡¯re still around for us to visit. They¡¯re buried in a cemetery.¡± The girl spread the water up her forearms.


    ¡°A cemetery?¡±


    Her skin prickled from the cold. ¡°A graveyard. A place with memorials for the dead.¡±


    ¡°When our kind have their final death, those that remain simply move on, thankful for their loved ones¡¯ first lives and humbled to be fortunate enough to experience their second lives.¡±


    ¡°So you just leave the pieces of their skull where they lie and continue on with life?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t even a burial?¡± asked Patience, rubbing her hands to recapture some warmth.


    ¡°There is nothing for animals to scavenge, no flesh to decay.¡±


    ¡°Sanitation aside, you don¡¯t feel the need to memorialize them?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°You know, to remember them, have a place to visit and talk with them.¡±


    ¡°Why? They are gone. They cannot be revived a second time. The memories of them are carried by the living.¡±


    ¡°I¡ª¡± began Patience, ¡°It¡¯s for sentimental reasons.¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t see the point.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nice for the living.¡± Patience felt the heat rise in her face. Her throat began to cinch. ¡°You ¡­¡± She swallowed. ¡°You just don¡¯t understand.¡±


    Feelings of hypocrisy nibbled at her heart. Here she was arguing for the importance of memorials and yet she barely visited those of her parents. The girl sighed as she trudged through the garden to the gate. She wondered if she was a bad daughter.


    Patience¡¯s heart drummed the whole way to the cemetery. Keeping it safe from the wind lest the flowers lose more petals, the girl clutched the arrangement closely to her chest. She squinted against the wind blasting her eyes through Anax¡¯s sockets. His orb trembled from the exhilaration. Unsure of how fast he could sprint, Patience assumed he rarely achieved and maintained speeds this fast. She had almost forgotten her guilt until the engine turned off and they stepped into the intricate shadow of the cemetery gate.


    The girl stood still as Schuler strolled past her. He paused, and glanced back.


    ¡°You all right?¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah,¡± Patience mumbled.


    ¡°Here.¡± Schuler took the bouquet from her grasp, alleviating the burden.


    Patience nodded her thanks. She passed her fingers along Anax¡¯s mandible to reassure herself.


    Together they wound through the cemetery. Anax¡¯s eye zipped back and forth to take in the intricate details of the memorials. Awe washed over him as he realized the great diversity of monuments. Stone crosses, angels, and obelisks towered over more modest grave markers. While the skull was distracted, Patience and Schuler focused on finding a particular headstone with a sculpted hand pointing toward the heavens, for her parents were buried just beyond it.


    The great variation of headstones only spoke in a whisper of all the different lives that had come to rest here. Soldiers, clergymen, immigrants, infants, the wealthy, the poor, the people between, and even a few witches lay in the soil. This cemetery was not a terrible place for their earthly bodies. Above, the lawn was green and kempt, the trees full and lively. Flowering bushes formed neat hedges to separate various sections of the property. It was a veritable park.


    As they turned past a weeping willow, they saw the hand, pointing as if to call their attention. Nearing the monument, Patience held her breath. She stepped around the stone pillar, giving the hand one last look before her vision tunneled. Patience was almost afraid to look, but some some divine force twisted her head to the spot. Perhaps it was Anax. She did not care either way. Funny how two stone slabs could cause her so much distress.


    Antander and Frances Firmin rested just inches away from each other, side by side in death just as they had lain each evening during their marriage. Standing in front of the twin headstones, Patience¡¯s eyes began to sting. She slowly reached a hand out, her hand that worked so hard to keep their house suspended in a time before they were gone. Her fingers grazed over the tops of the stone warmed by the sun. She gave them each a few pats. Trying to be strong, the girl forced a smile, but it soon crumpled. Tears flowed freely down her face. Sniffling, she turned away as Schuler knelt down to place the flowers between her parents.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    They remained there for a moment. Schuler made a sign of a cross over his chest and folded his hands by his belt. Anax was respectfully silent despite the strange rituals around him. A breeze swept through the cemetery, blowing away a few petals from the bouquet onto Patience¡¯s mother¡¯s side. Disturbing the peace, a strained sob escaped the girl¡¯s throat. The man placed a gentle hand on Patience¡¯s back. From his pocket, he offered her a handkerchief which she gladly accepted.


    ¡°We can go if you want,¡± said the man.


    Patience nodded her head. She thought after so much time that it would be less painful. Apparently a few years were not enough to heal her grief. Her feet began leading her away toward the entrance. Schuler followed not far behind.


    The girl whispered to Anax, ¡°Perhaps it would be nice to not have them here at all.¡±


    He lowly hummed. ¡°Hm, I don¡¯t even know if my own parents are alive or dead.¡±


    Patience held her breath.


    ¡°Well, as you said: you have yours right here to talk to. You have that, at least.¡±


    Patience stopped. He was right. She reached a few fingers to wipe the tears from her eyes as she sniffed. She spun around on her heel and rushed back to her parents, leaving Schuler to wait on the path.


    Through hitched breaths she murmured, ¡°Thank you. I won¡¯t let your gifts go to waste.¡± Her heart still strained, but Patience fought to articulate the words. Hands curled into fists. ¡°I¡¯m ready to ¡­¡± She could not bring herself to finish. A sad smile dimpled her face. ¡°Well, you both know.¡± Patience kissed her fingers and brought her hand to each slab, touching upon her parents¡¯ names. With one final reverent glance at the graves, the girl stepped away to rejoin Schuler.


    As the wind whistled through Anax¡¯s skull, Patience¡¯s mind wandered to the promise she made. She would live a full life for her parents, as they intended. It was a new chapter in her life, a significant character had entered. This was reason to celebrate. This would be that something special. It was time to reach into that pile of savings, albeit with some restraint.


    In front of her home, Schuler bade Patience farewell, but not before embracing the girl once more. She watched him ride back toward Keaton until he disappeared around a bend of trees. Instead of entering the cottage, the girl sat on the front step. She folded her arms across her knees.


    ¡°All right, Anax, where would you like to travel to within the country?¡±


    ¡°I only saw one general map of this country in your book and that already had countless place names.¡±


    The girl stared up at the wide sky. Thin white clouds scuttled across the blue expanse, winds high above the earth scalloping their edges. Like waves caught still in time.


    ¡°How about we visit the ocean?¡±


    ¡°Can we?¡± Anax chittered excitedly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s.¡±


    The smell of manure hit the girl¡¯s nose, reminding her that she was in the outskirts of Keaton, even though the brick edifices seemed just a stone¡¯s throw away. Weathered wooden walls flanked Patience as she passed by Cliff Wells¡¯ stables on her way to his feed store. A new section had been built for his mules while the older section was renovated and used for storage. She imagined Schuler¡¯s possessions sitting in there, eagerly awaiting his return as she had. Patience parked her wagon outside before facing the front of the main building.


    The open maw of the store¡¯s entrance swallowed the girl. Once a barn, it now sheltered bales of hay and alfalfa in its stalls in lieu of livestock. The lofty ceiling vaulted over rafters, various empty cages hanging from the beams. To Patience¡¯s right were a few stalls lined with shelves displaying various tools, implements, and other supplies. Another stall held large spools of wire and thick logs of rolled fencing. At the far back, Patience spied the figure of the store¡¯s proprietor.


    The girl walked over to find him hunched over a large wooden pen full of chicks with a heat lamp as its centerpiece. Cliff Wells was younger than his brother who owned the general store. His hair was still mostly black save for symmetrical patches of gray in his short mustache and goatee. Patience admired the full curve of his jaw. His ochre brown eyes seemed to smile at her when he finally noticed her presence.


    ¡°Patience! Welcome! Ned told me you were sporting some sort of skull on your head nowadays. I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be that big,¡± Mr. Wells blurted. The elder Wells never nosed in people¡¯s business, but that hardly stopped him from telling his family whatever he observed. Patience rolled her eyes and smirked under Anax¡¯s shade.


    ¡°It¡¯s my new look,¡± said the girl.


    ¡°Rather bold, but I suppose you were never one to blend in,¡± chuckled Mr. Wells.


    ¡°Not as if I had a choice,¡± Patience sighed, wrinkling her mouth.


    Dark hands sorted through the puddle of chicks. ¡°What can I do for you today?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just here for a bale of hay and a bag of chicken feed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you get that in just a minute!¡± Mr. Wells said, picking up a small chick with a spot of red dye on its head. He brought it over to a table in the corner warmed by the sun streaming through a narrow window.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that one?¡±


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t been eating from the feeder. I¡¯ve been hand feeding it the past couple days,¡± explained the man as he dipped his head to inspect the ball of fluff in his firm yet gentle grip. He grabbed a syringe to his left and injected a bit of liquid mash slowly into the chick¡¯s beak. The way he handled animals never ceased to lift Patience¡¯s mood.


    ¡°Actually, I had something else to ask you,¡± Patience voiced.


    ¡°Go on,¡± said Mr. Wells.


    ¡°You make a trip into Haverston once a week, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, to pick up orders and make a few deliveries.¡±


    ¡°Can I please get a ride with you?¡±


    ¡°Whatcha heading to Haverston for?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take the train to St. Phocas for a little getaway,¡± she explained.


    ¡°Ooh, that sounds lovely!¡± Mr. Wells remarked as he stroked the down of the chick in his palm. He then set his charge back into the pen with its peers.


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping it will be! It¡¯ll be my first vacation since ¡­¡± Patience shifted her gaze.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll enjoy yourself,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll be glad to take you to the train station. I¡¯m going Saturday morning, seven sharp.¡±


    ¡°Perfect! Thank you!¡±


    ¡°Now let¡¯s get you that hay and feed. Bring your wagon?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    The day Patience was to embark on her first adventure in a long while began early. She woke up before light broke, her nerves keeping her slumber shallow. The girl wrapped herself in her wool cloak and set for the garden. An ample amount of grain fell from her hands as she made sure the chickens would have enough to forage for almost a week. She also generously watered the vegetables.


    Having packed the previous night, Patience patted her carpet bag on the sofa in the parlor. Bills passed through her fingers as she recounted her travel budget. It pained her slightly to extract the amount from the hidden chest, but the prospect of adventure burned hotter than her worries. Half of the money went into her bag, the other half to a cloth pocket she tied to her underbelt.


    The girl made a quick run around the whole cottage, seeing that everything was in its place and all the windows were closed and locked. When everything was checked twice over, she crossed the threshold. A deep breath of air filled her lungs.


    Patience marched to the gate with her bag in hand, leaving the cottage in her wake. Her fingers gripped the worn wood and unlatched the lock. For a moment, she hesitated to take a step further, the gray haze seemingly holding her still.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Anax asked.


    The girl nodded, raising a hand to the skull¡¯s jaw. Her feet then fell before her, taking the first strides to cross the greatest distance she had ever traveled without her parents.


    St. Phocas lay hundreds of miles south of Antimoire. It had the advantage of being one of the few beach towns along the coast that had a train station. Convenience aside, the town boasted smooth, sandy beaches and eclectic establishments. The girl had seen some photographs and artwork of St. Phocas before, however she knew those were incomparable to the real thing. She could barely contain herself as she skipped down the road.


    This was it. She was going to leave her home and stay away for a few days. The Patience from a month ago would have never entertained the thought. How exciting it was to step into this new life. Perhaps this could lead to more trips in the future. For a brief moment, the doubts and worry over money fled the girl¡¯s mind. She saw herself and Anax going abroad, not immediately, but before her hair turned gray. The thrill of adventure gripped her heart. But most excited was Anax. He practically hummed at the back of Patience¡¯s neck.

 (11) Departure

    As Keaton drew nearer, their excitement mounted. The strain of Patience¡¯s bag on her shoulder seemed to have disappeared entirely. The sight of town buildings ignited a second wind in the girl. Ignoring her already tingling legs, she broke into a jog. Just as eager, Anax called out little strings of encouragement, willing her legs faster. By the time they reached the stables, Patience had broken into a sweat. She strolled the rest of the way, recapturing her breath.


    Anax became quiet as they came upon the barn. It was nice knowing the skull could monitor himself without any reminders. Patience spotted Mr. Wells carrying a large box from his store to his wagon parked at the entrance. They bade each other good morning.


    ¡°All right, Patience. Have a seat. I¡¯ve got just a few more things to load up,¡± said Mr. Wells, flashing a smile.


    The girl passed by the mules, giving them a thorough pat each. She hopped up to the wagon¡¯s seat and placed the carpet bag on her lap. She breathed in, scanning her surroundings from the high perch. Anax did the same, mostly focusing on the mules. The wagon rocked as Mr. Wells packed the final boxes into the back. He then ascended the driver¡¯s seat. The girl was thankful Anax¡¯s eye occupied their right side since he could freely look around on the ride without the man noticing.


    ¡°Ready?¡± asked the man.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wells!¡± She smoothed the fabric along her legs, trying to tame her thrill.


    With a flap of the reins and a whoop, Mr. Wells ushered his mules into motion. They turned onto the road and the clopping of hooves fell into a steady rhythm. A soft rattle from some object in the back added an energetic percussion. Years had passed from the time Patience last rode in a wagon. Nostalgia washed over her, she felt like a young girl again.


    The sun began to peek out between the early morning clouds and a light breeze stirred the scent of dew and grass into the air. Unlike Schuler¡¯s motorbike that whizzed past the countryside, the wagon took a more leisurely pace. It forced them to absorb the landscape, but it was not unwelcomed.


    Patience shyly glanced over at Mr. Wells. Eyes straight ahead, he clicked his tongue every so often to encourage the mules. The piece of straw in his mouth wavered like a conductor¡¯s baton. Her head swiveled to the side, absentmindedly training on a passing pond. She was unsure how to begin a conversation with Mr. Wells, or if she should even try. She had never spent this much time in his personal company. Thankfully he was not shy to begin chatting.


    ¡°Don¡¯t know if you¡¯re aware ¡­¡± began Mr. Wells, ¡°I told this to your parents before ¡­¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°But I appreciate your long term patronage.¡±


    Patience shot him a glance and smiled.


    ¡°Ned too ¡­¡± Mr. Wells continued to keep his eyes steady on the road. He passed a hand over his frizzy, cropped hair. ¡°When we just started, it was hard. But your father and mother were among those that believed in our hard work and supported us. We¡ªall of us and our families, are forever grateful.¡±


    Her heart clenched at the thought of these two brothers being born into the ownership of another person. They had suffered much to get to where they were today. And while the girl could never fathom the hardships they went through, and still faced, she knew the best thing she could do was to continue to support their businesses. Aside from her putting money into their registers, she made sure to also speak highly of them when appropriate.


    ¡°Oh, you and your brother are self-made men. You only have yourselves to thank,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°Well, a business ain¡¯t anything without its customers,¡± Mr. Wells laughed.


    Patience had always felt a tinge of guilt over her father not serving in the war. Using his inheritance, he had paid the incredible commutation sum of three-hundred dollars to escape the draft. His family was wealthy, and as the only son with a lame sister, he was favored tremendously. While they were staunch abolitionists, they were hard-pressed to get their hands dirty.


    That was one aspect of her father that Patience disliked. He deferred to preaching and economic support rather than physical actions. Even if he had vowed to never take a life at the end of a rifle or bayonet, he could have trained as a medic with his intellect and dexterous hands. Not being able to discuss this with him was the one thing Patience regretted now that he had passed.


    Her father¡¯s passive actions were complemented with her mother¡¯s own aggressive hands-on approach towards life. Perhaps some of her mother¡¯s strong will rubbed off on her husband over their years of marriage, and the rare time he did take action led to Patience becoming a part of their lives.


    Her mother had come from a family of poor farmers who valued hard work. The youngest of seven, she always vied for the attention of her parents, trying to work harder and out-do her siblings. Ultimately she caught the eye of her great-uncle, who gifted her the parcel of land that was now Patience¡¯s home. It was her first real reward for all her efforts, and she treasured it until her last breath. And so Patience felt compelled to honor her hard work.


    ¡°How are your chickens doing?¡±


    Patience shook herself from her thoughts. ¡°They¡¯re doing well! I¡¯ve got a clutch of chicks this season. I¡¯m hoping to trade you once they¡¯re older.¡±


    ¡°Of course, of course,¡± Mr. Wells simpered.


    The two spoke at length over the care of chickens and other animals until the sun fully emerged from its cloudy cover to grace the day.


    ¡°My parents never allowed me to own pets,¡± sighed Patience.


    ¡°Oh? Not even a dog to guard your home?¡±


    ¡°My mother said she had enough to take care of around the house. I would have liked a cat, even just as a mouser. But she said any loss we had to pests was negligible and could be considered as offerings for the woodland spirits.¡±


    ¡°She believed in that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. It was more likely to entertain the wild imagination of a child.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they do exist though,¡± said Mr. Wells, tapping his nose, ¡°or did.¡±


    Patience wondered. There had been sightings of faeries and other nature spirits throughout history, but never had there been any hard evidence for their existence. No skeletal remains, nothing left behind. They could simply very well be an undiscovered species such as Anax.


    ¡°In some form or another,¡± Patience sighed.


    ¡°Well, I like to think they exist.¡±


    Patience chuckled. If he only knew what could exist. Mr. Wells was so close to Anax, so close to learning the true nature of the skull if they slipped. Everyone was. Her eyes bulged.


    Suddenly Patience¡¯s lungs ceased to work smoothly. She never knew the burden of such a large secret until this moment. The whole weight of the world seemed to press down upon the girl. Her entire life could be unraveled should the wrong person discover Anax. Her vision glazed over. Mr. Wells was speaking, but she was not listening.


    ¡°Patience!¡± Mr. Wells placed a hand on her shoulder.


    She snapped out of her torpor.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost to Haverston!¡±


    As they crested a hill, the wide sprawl of the town expanded before them. Anax gasped ever so quietly, Patience quickly masking it with her own. It had been a long time since she enjoyed this view. The buildings clustered together into a mass. The line of the rail tracks laying over the surrounding land cut into the very edge of the concretion. Unable to let the effect fully permeate, Mr. Wells urged on his mules.


    Haverston was over twice the size of Keaton. All of the large public buildings within town limits had electric lights and most places were plumbed to a sewer line. Having found its modest wealth as a hub for distributing produce grown in the surrounding area, it boasted several luxuries. Among other things, there were fine hotels and restaurants, the department store, a manicured park and gardens that made Keaton¡¯s look like a barren field, and of course the grand theater that was now home to the illustrious singer Celeste Hargreaves. However at the moment, the only sight Patience had in mind to visit was the train station.


    Towering brick buildings rolled past Mr. Wells¡¯ wagon. Throngs of people were out enjoying an early start to their Saturday. The vignettes of urban life were akin to Keaton, but everything was denser and more crowded. Patience most certainly noticed the looks and sneers some of the citizens directed at her and Mr. Wells. Patience was unsure whether she would love living in a large town like this for its amenities or categorically hate it for everything else.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Mr. Wells pulled up to the side of the station among vehicles of all sorts collecting and depositing passengers and freight. She gave her thanks and bade him farewell before dodging a horse to hurry to the ticket booth. The girl requested a ticket for the next train stopping at St. Phocas, then presented her money.


    ¡°Here you are, young lady,¡± said the clerk, handing Patience a ticket. ¡°The Coastal Express is expected to arrive in one hour.¡±


    ¡°Wonderful! Thank you,¡± said Patience. Relieved that she was early and would not need to stay overnight at a hotel to wait for another train, she took her time strolling to the platform.


    ¡°But I want to explore,¡± grumbled Anax.


    ¡°We can explore around Haverston once we come back from our trip!¡±


    ¡°Promise,¡± Anax quietly demanded.


    ¡°I promise,¡± Patience sighed.


    She spotted a bread cart and bought a roll stuffed with cheese. The previous train that had occupied the station blew its whistle, grinding into motion. Finding an empty bench, the girl sat down to enjoy her breakfast. Anax¡¯s eye fixed fastedly on the iron black, mechanical beast and remained captivated as it chugged away into the distance.


    ¡°Are we getting in one of those?¡± he asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice.


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Patience, slightly amused.


    Anax met the arrival of their train with stoic silence. He braved the thunderous noise and intimidating plume of smoke. Patience could imagine how threatening this giant moving machine was to an apex predator unaccustomed to the creations of man. She leapt up the steps of the nearest open car door, immediately running into a conductor. He punched her ticket. The girl then shuffled by him to scout for a seat in an empty car.


    Settled into place, Patience held her breath as the train lurched forward. Her heart drummed harder as she felt the world recede. There was no turning back now. Anax held his gaze outside the window, his eye quivering in astonishment. Patience rubbed at a small wart on her finger. Unused to train travel, she centered her breathing on the motions of her fingertip until the locomotive maintained a steady pace. Only then did she allow herself to peer at the fleeing landscape.


    ¡°Are you still minding yourself, Anax?¡± asked Patience in a whisper.


    ¡°I behaved in town, did I not?¡±


    ¡°You did. I just want you to be doubly vigilant. I¡¯ve a feeling we¡¯ll be seeing a lot more people now.¡±


    ¡°I am still a secret.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯d like to keep it that way, you know ¡­ for our convenience.¡±


    ¡°Except Schuler knows.¡±


    ¡°He can keep a secret. He¡¯s good like that.¡±


    The thump of shoes announced a passenger walking past them. He paused to shoot a glance at the girl from below the brim of his bowler. She returned a look from the shade of the skull. The man seemingly flinched before continuing on to the next car. Patience assumed he thought her a witch. She realized it was a notion that worked in her favor. She could always try explaining Anax¡¯s abilities away with magic. However, it would be optimal to avoid any such conversation all together. The girl would rather not do any mental acrobatics; particularly if she had to explain Anax to a witch.


    The train brought them over earth and water. The country passed before them, invisible lines separating counties and state rolling by underneath Patience¡¯s planted feet. The girl estimated they had left Maryana by now. Her hunch proved correct when the conductor announced Spotswood, Wiginia as their next stop. People came and went as the train paused along its assigned stations. Most never bothered Patience. She had the luxury of an empty booth for the entirety of the trip. She crossed nearly two states in comfort, drifting in and out of sleep.


    The sun had begun to descend from its zenith by the time they passed into Carolus. Patience had made herself quite at home in the car booth. Her bag sat at her side, a crumpled napkin from lunch tossed on the bench opposite of her. She had taken out her jacket to cushion her backside against her wooden seat. She even dared to put up her feet. If anyone noticed, they did not bother to speak up. Having the skull had its perks.


    ¡°This place is far,¡± Anax commented.


    ¡°Well, it takes a while to get to a nice beach,¡± yawned Patience as she glanced out the window. Woods had turned into low, bushy trees. The land had flattened. ¡°We should be there soon.¡± The girl was beginning to grow restless herself, the hard seat aggravating her situation. She had to put her faith into the words she just spoke.


    Nearly another hour had passed before the conductor announced St. Phocas, Carolus as the next stop. Renewed with energy, Patience cleaned up after herself, brushing any crumbs on her clothes onto the floor. She put on her jacket and checked her money again before sitting up properly with her bag on her lap. Craning her neck until Anax¡¯s skull tapped the glass pane, Patience strained for a view of the ocean. For now it remained hidden behind gentle sand dunes in the distance, basking in the fading glow of the day. Passing trees shuttered her vision, drawing her attention to the foreground. Fences and buildings appeared, and soon, so did the town of St. Phocas.


    As the train slowed, Patience caught glimpses of the town between the drab railway structures and bushy eastern red cedars. Brightly colored homes glinted like jewels with pearly white-washed buildings interspersed between. Other edifices once clad in dark wood now stood silver after years of lashings from the wind and water. Still the ocean lay beyond them, and Patience was annoyed these human constructions hid the true treasure born by nature.


    At last they stopped. Stepping off the train, a blast of cool air hit Patience¡¯s face. Refreshed from the stuffy car, her smile stretched across her cheeks. She jumped onto the wooden platform and sidled to the nearest wall in the small station displaying a map of St. Phocas. About a dozen other people shuffled their way along the platform, already certain of their destinations. Currently still in low season, St. Phocas would not see the bulk of its annual tourists trickle in for another few weeks yet. The lonesome whistle blared as the train continued onward to other places. It took some time before Patience spotted the street on which her hotel was located. Committing the directions to memory, she hefted her carpet bag on her shoulder and trudged forward.


    The dying afternoon sun painted long shadows on the ground. A completely new world surrounded the girl and the skull, one made more fantastical with the rose gold light and the gentle call of seabirds echoing around the coastal town. The smell of salt and pelagic musk hung in the air, renewed afresh by mild breezes. Patience took note of the shops and businesses she passed, getting her bearings of the streets.


    As they neared the ocean, the distant sound of waves became apparent. Soon the massive expanse of the sea was in sight at the end of the street, peeking between two large buildings. Patience restrained her excitement and promised not to spoil herself just yet; they still had to settle into their room and the light was fading. The waves were a tame roar by the time the girl reached the Tradewinds Hotel.


    Patience stood in awe of the massive five-story building. With its back to the sea, it offered the best views of any of the hotels in town. Its impressive shingled facade beamed proudly, flashing its numerous large windows that allowed for grand views of the town and ocean. A deep porch crowned with a balcony wrapped all around the exterior. Pristine chairs and small tables took up all of the outdoor floorspace, ready to host the hotel¡¯s guests at a moment¡¯s notice. Dormers jutted from the highest floor. Patience had her heart set on one of those rooms. The sweeping views of the lower suites did not entice her much. She just wanted her little corner of St. Phocas.


    At the front desk, the clerk grew wide-eyed at the sight of Anax before composing himself to handle Patience¡¯s request. He informed her she was in luck. She would get her small dormered room and as she was the only occupant on the top story, the floor¡¯s bathroom would be hers alone. Saving a bit of money, the girl opted for a street view; she would see the ocean plenty during the day.


    Receiving her key, Patience nearly sprinted to the staircase, having just enough restraint to not upset a few older matrons who just finished afternoon tea. As they left, the girl flew up the steps. Reaching the very top, she noticed how much lower the ceilings were on her floor. Patience took a quick look at the bathroom down the hall. Her face glowed as she thought of the upcoming days blessed with indoor plumbing. Accounting for the pitch of the roof, the rooms were longer than they were deep. Her cozy room offered the basics and had a writing desk at the far end. Between the foot of the fluffy bed and the washstand was the window Patience had admired from the street. She sat on the cushioned sill and looked out onto the rows of buildings across from the hotel.


    ¡°We¡¯re finally here!¡± Patience breathed. The street lamps buzzed aglow as the sky darkened. People below began to wander out of stores and congregate at bars and restaurants. She figured she would join them.


    ¡°How about we find some supper and then treat ourselves to a bath?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± hissed Anax, perhaps even more excited than she was.


    The pair found a small deli just about ready to close for the day across the street. Happy to have one last customer as an excuse not to take more meat home, the owner piled on an extra helping of sliced ham on Patience¡¯s sandwich. She brought it back to their room with a bottle of cola and ate lounging on the window seat, safe from an evening chill.


    After supper, Patience ventured into the bathroom. Upon entering, a painted privacy screen greeted her, shielding the clawfoot bathtub behind. Two sinks were affixed by the door opposite a separate water closet housing the toilet. She took one of the hotel¡¯s towels from a built-in shelf on the side and stepped behind the panels depicting a bucolic landscape dotted with sheep. The tub¡¯s knobs turned with a squeak. Patience heard a low hum of gas before the gush of water overtook it. Simply seeing the process was almost as wondrous as the bath that was about to come. Undoing her braid, she sat on the ledge watching the water fill the tub and begin to steam. Once it was full and pleasantly hot, the girl undressed and slipped into the bath. Even the strongest borax mix could not clean the smile from her face as she soaked.


    ¡°I could never get the water this hot at home for my baths!¡± Patience sighed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this every night,¡± said Anax, a slimy tendril stroking her collarbone.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re enjoying the trip already. We haven¡¯t even spent a full day here yet.¡±


    ¡°New things to see and do!¡± Anax trilled.


    Her stomach coiled into a knot. She wondered how despondent Anax would be when the time came to return home to the cottage. Small trips were all she could afford with her meager income, even accounting for her inheritance. Patience briefly wished she were of higher birth and had the ability to travel all across the globe like Uncle Lung.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take it slow and focus on one thing at a time,¡± gulped the girl. ¡°You¡¯ll get to appreciate things more.¡±


    ¡°Fair,¡± said the skull, gelatinous coils swishing across the surface of the water.


    With each party placated for now, the girl allowed herself to drift away to distant daydreams. The hot water seeped into all the worst parts of her and masked their existence for a while. Her hands and feet felt free of calluses and warts. Even her burn seemed to melt away into Anax¡¯s slime. In the steaming sea, every blemish was forgotten, leaving a pure and calm soul.

 (12) The Witches

    Patience awoke with a start. For a moment she thought herself back at home, but then she realized the bedding was much too nice. As the memories of the previous day flooded back into her mind, a grin stretched across her face. It was still very early, light had barely broken. She rose to get a head start on the day.


    ¡°Can we go see the sea?¡± bubbled Anax, braiding her hair.


    ¡°That¡¯s the plan!¡± Patience polished off the last bits of her sandwich from last night and dressed.


    The hotel lay dormant as the girl and skull made their best efforts to rush out the entrance as quietly as possible. A pale blue world greeted the two as the solid doors swung shut behind them. Heavy scents of sand and sea whirled through the air on the tails of dawn breezes. Patience rounded the hotel patio, certain there must be beach access at the back. She found a walkway leading between a range of sand dunes, and she bounded toward that coveted image of the sea. Frustratingly, the path wound a few turns too many for Patience¡¯s liking. Seeking a straighter trajectory, she traversed the hills of sand.


    Finally cresting a dune, her eyes met the blue-gray ocean dominating the horizon. As wide as the sky above, its cold waves billowed to the shore. Unlike the docile waters of the rivers near her home, these depths were broiling, alive. The waves seemed to lathe the land, wanting to consume it.


    She shuddered at the thought of how much further the sea went beyond her vision. It made the girl feel very small. The gentle rhythmic roar of the water echoed the strong, excited beats of her heart. Patience inhaled, filling her lungs with the salty air. She noticed Anax condensing into slime at the nape of her neck.


    ¡°It¡¯s MASSIVE,¡± Anax marveled.


    ¡°Right, you¡¯ve never seen the ocean either.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, and the air ¡­ it feels so tingly!¡±


    Patience took off her boots and stockings, feeling the sand between her toes. Charging toward the water, the rush of foam and brine stopped her in her tracks. It came all too quickly, the bite of an ice-cold deluge wrenched her ankles. Patience yelped, immediately skipping back. Her feet grew numb. She dug them into the sand, just a bit less cold, to warm them up again.


    They ventured along the shore just short of the water¡¯s reach. Off in the distance down the beach, long wooden piers stretched toward the horizon. A tangle of masts beyond indicated a full dock. A biting wind blew across the sand and the girl pulled her jacket tighter. She hoped it would warm up as the day progressed.


    Weather aside, it was still early and the beach was mostly empty. Down the shore were a few figures undeterred by the cold. As Patience and Anax drew closer, dark tattoos became visible on the group¡¯s arms and silver ornaments woven into their plaits of hair flashed. They were witches.


    Patience watched them from some yards away. They stood several feet apart, one behind the other, sleeves rolled up, hauling long dark ropes out of the briny water. There were two men at the front: one tall with a complete sea lion pelt worn as a cape and a mask constructed of driftwood over his eyes, the other was well toned and dressed solely in a summer union suit. A hunched wispy-haired elder and a young woman appearing close to Patience¡¯s age followed behind them, both in soot gray garments.


    The toned man was closest to the water, his scant clothing exposing his darker skin and occult tattoos. Patience presumed he had dove in earlier, judging by the swaths of wet hair swinging around his face. As the witches coiled the black tethers into a mass, the girl realized they were pulling seaweed hundreds of feet long from the sea.


    Words passed between the group, though Patience¡¯s ear could only discern a few. It was amusing trying to decipher their dialogue. The man in his underwear patted the young woman¡¯s shoulder. The tall man caressed him and offered his hide for warmth. A yelp. The young woman helped steady the elder after they stumbled over some seaweed. They appeared to be a family. A curious family, but that was to be expected of witches.


    The witches piled the seaweed into a wagon. It was an odd piece of equipment; planks of wood were nailed around the wheels, connecting the rear wheels together into a nearly solid roller which was mirrored in the front. Once loaded, the men pulled it into motion, setting down the beach. It was built so as not to sink into the sand. The ingenuity of people never ceased to amaze Patience.


    ¡°Are you cold?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°Yes. Maybe we should come back in the afternoon if the sun comes out,¡± the girl mumbled. Slightly crestfallen, she trudged back inland. At least there was the boardwalk and town to explore. Before she reapplied her stockings and boots, Anax cleaned her feet of water and sand, his extraordinary ability proving quite practical. By now the sky grew lighter, daubing faint colors over the buildings of St. Phocas. The town was waking.


    To raise her spirits, Patience stopped by a kiosk on the boardwalk selling fresh doughnuts. They had just opened and were in the midst of frying the first batch. The enticing scent of fried dough and grease lured her over like a siren¡¯s song. There was no food she liked better than any sort of pastry. The temperature at the moment called for the pillowy, golden brown rings. Patience ordered five of them. The vendor plopped them into a paper sack, followed with a dusting of sugar. He rolled the top to seal the bag and shook it vigorously. It was then that he proffered it to Patience who smiled with the glee of a child.


    She took her treats to a secluded sitting area of the boardwalk arcade and opened the bag, releasing a wisp of steam. Unfazed by the searing surface, Patience pincered one of the doughnuts and brought it to her mouth. Her teeth breached the crisp sugared surface to expose the soft interior. Never had she tasted something so wonderful in such a perfect setting. Anax extended a tendril to sample as well.


    From the cover of the arcade, she watched the winds rise and whip the waves into frothy hills. Under a sullen sun masked by a matte gray sky, gulls lazily drifted above the girl and the skull. Still, the ocean darkened into a threatening expanse. With the last of the doughnuts gone, Patience tilted the paper sack into her mouth. The final crumbs and crystals of sugar dropped onto her tongue. The girl rose, beleaguered, and headed back into town.


    The even overcast diffused the sunlight into a bright wash across the sky. Even with Anax as a shade, Patience had to squint to navigate up the street. She perused the storefronts and imagined what life in this coastal town was like. It seemed more peaceful than Keaton. However, she could imagine the place suffocatingly crowded once summer came about. Patience felt a twinge nag at her scalp.


    ¡°Oh no! I didn¡¯t bring any tea from home,¡± the girl groaned. She trudged along the sidewalk, staring at herself in the store windows she passed. ¡°You said your mist has restorative and regenerative properties. Can¡¯t you do anything for my burn?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already tried. Your tissue there is too long-damaged for me to affect it any.¡±


    Patience exhaled a whiny sigh. ¡°Two decades and a few years is a long time for a scar to settle ¡­¡±


    ¡°There must be a drugstore or something in this town.¡±


    By a stroke of luck, the two came across an herb shop just as they turned the corner of the street. Its tall windows revealed shelves stocked with a veritable library of goods. Hanging above the door was a wooden sign weathered by the sea air, so much so it was illegible. However, several sigils carved into the plaque announced this place as operated by witches.


    Patience had never seen a permanent establishment owned by witches before. Between Keaton and Haverston, there might have been a handful of magic practitioners residing in the county, but whatever trade they plied in was neither in service nor retail. Out of necessity and curiosity, the girl entered the store.


    Once across the threshold, a war of scents assailed Patience: aromatic fragrances fought with musty earthen stinks; and stringent clinical odors sought to slice through them all. The noisomeness forced the girl to breathe through her mouth as she gazed around her. Glass jars filled with a plethora of items lined the shelves up to the ceiling. Most contained dried leaves, roots, and strange clusters. Some contained preserved animal parts suspended in liquid. Hefty dried masses of fungus and other things Patience could not identify sat in crates on the floor. In the center were large bins of other dried goods, metal scoops shining in the piles. Above, bundles of herbs hung from the rafters. With every inch of the store offering some sort of remedy, Patience wondered what ailment could not be cured here.


    Among the oddities was a lone figure dressed in a worn gray dress. Patience recognized her as the young female witch she spied on the beach earlier. Facing away from the front door, the intricate hair ornaments tucked in her pinned black plait were on full display. She brought a gloved hand to the back of her porcelain neck and scratched a red dot of a bug bite. The bite punctuated the tip of a design that barely peeked over the witch¡¯s collar. Patience pictured the tattoo flowing down the length of her back. A jingle of bells brought Patience to attention again.


    Another witch dressed in oxblood taffeta adorned with tiny bells at her belt emerged from a back room. She met the younger witch at the counter.


    ¡°Sorry, my dear Tandy. We¡¯re fresh out of ambergris shavings,¡± sighed the red witch, her feathered hair-piece flapping with a shake of her head.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s all right. S¡¯pose I¡¯ll pick up some other things for Papa and Da while I¡¯m here, though.¡± Tandy shrugged and stepped off to the side to browse a shelf, scratching her itch once again.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some salve that¡¯ll sort out that bite!¡± the red witch lilted.


    ¡°Got some at home.¡± Tandy winked.


    The red witch then met Patience¡¯s gaze and beamed, a bright smile flashing against her dark skin. ¡°Welcome! Haven¡¯t seen you around before!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just visiting. I¡¯m on vacation,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°Where are you from?¡± she asked with sparkling kohl-lined eyes.


    ¡°Keaton, Maryana.¡±


    ¡°Ah, Maryana, you say! You¡¯ve traveled quite far to come here! I hope our town is treating you fairly. The name¡¯s Heledd. Here in St. Phocas proper are my family and the Lusines,¡± said the red witch.


    Tandy bowed her head with a sweet smile at Patience as Heledd spoke her family name. Heledd extended an elegant hand. ¡°Miss Tandy, the heir to that line.¡±


    Patience shyly dipped her legs into a conservative curtsey.


    ¡°There are also a couple others living in the area, but they don¡¯t visit as often. Just know you¡¯re not alone!¡±


    Patience¡¯s posture straightened. ¡°Oh! But I¡¯m not a witch!¡±


    A look of embarrassment crossed Heledd¡¯s face before she broke into a chuckle, ¡°Ah! I¡¯m sorry! I didn''t mean to assume! Welcome to St. Phocas regardless!¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Patience. It was then that she noticed Tandy beside her. The young witch was studying her with wide blue eyes.


    ¡°Not often I¡¯ll see drybloods wear skulls! If ever!¡± she commented.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°Oh! I¡¯m wearing this¡ªwell ¡­¡± Patience removed Anax to reveal her burn.


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sorry, dear,¡± Heledd clicked her tongue.


    ¡°It¡¯s actually why I¡¯ve come to your shop. Do you have anything to soothe my old burn?¡±


    ¡°Got just the thing!¡± Tandy grinned.


    She gently ushered Patience to a shelf with a large wheel of some strange, waxy substance. One might expect it to be a type of cheese at a glance. The young witch took a metal pie knife resting by the side of the wheel and cut off a large slice.


    ¡°Here you go. Just boil a portion in some water until it¡¯s fully dissolved, let cool, and once it¡¯s gelatinous, apply it to the area. Ya might feel some tingling, but the pain will go away and stay away for several hours.¡±


    ¡°Th-thank you!¡± Patience sputtered.


    ¡°It¡¯s a mix of things, but seaweed is the main ingredient,¡± explained Tandy.


    Patience brightened, ¡°Is this what your family makes? I¡¯m fairly certain I saw you this morning hauling seaweed out of the ocean.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Right on! Yes, that was us, and yes we craft and sell all sorts of things made from materials we source from the ocean.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fascinating!¡± said Patience. ¡°Do you supply other things to Heledd here?¡±


    Tandy¡¯s eyes twinkled as her rosy lips curled into a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll show you!¡±


    The young witch placed a hand on Patience¡¯s shoulder and led her around the store, stopping at various bins and jars, explaining each item and their properties. As Tandy spoke, some color came to her pallid face.


    All the information was overwhelming, but it was interesting nonetheless. ¡°And your family developed all these uses?¡± asked Patience.


    ¡°Some of them. A few are common knowledge¡ªwell, at least for witches,¡± chuckled Tandy. She paused at jar of jellyfish tentacles floating in green fluid. Her delicate finger traced the glass. ¡°My Papa¡¯s family¡ªthey¡¯ve lived along the Carolus coast for generations. He doesn¡¯t much care for the water itself, though. Haha, it seems everyone in my family likes the water besides Papa, even Poppy in his old age.


    ¡°My surrogate mother too, after she birthed me, she studied to become a wizard specializing in marine biology. And Papa met Da shortly after and he¡¯s a great free diver.¡± Tandy suddenly paused and slapped a gloved hand to her face. ¡°Oh, sorry! I must be rambling. It¡¯s just not a lot of people show interest in my family.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right! I enjoyed hearing all of it,¡± Patience simpered. Just this simple conversation shared in pleasant company seemed to ameliorate the discomfort spreading across her burn.


    ¡°You probably want to pay and be on your way! Please don¡¯t let me stop you,¡± Tandy warbled. Patience reassured her again before going to the counter. Leaning back, she flashed Tandy a smile. The young witch returned a grin in kind before resuming her browsing.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you some general pain-relief powder as well, for those aches you can¡¯t treat topically. No extra cost!¡± offered Heledd. Patience expressed her thanks as the red witch reached below the counter and placed a few small paper packets in front of the girl. ¡°Just dissolve one packet in a cup of water, hot or cold. Take no more than two packets a day. It won¡¯t react with any other medication you might be taking.¡±


    While Heledd wrapped the items in paper and tied everything in a burlap square, a man with a bag of produce entered the store. Sweeping a hand over his pale brow and short black hair, his almond eyes shone as they traveled to the red witch.


    ¡°I¡¯m back, Lovely!¡± He announced. He stepped around the counter, planting a kiss on Heledd¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°Welcome back!¡±


    ¡°Hi, Bing!¡± chirped Tandy from the floor. She had sat herself down to look over some enormous, crusty, fungal plates.


    ¡°Tell me, is the ginseng agreeing with Mrs. Phillips?¡± Heledd asked.


    ¡°She¡¯s taken a liking to it,¡± said Bing while rummaging through his bag. ¡°Looked really happy when I delivered her next prescription.¡± He placed a couple of oranges on a dish centered before a bearded, red-skinned figure in a small shrine on the back wall.


    ¡°Oh wonderful! Could you please start on Mr. Hall¡¯s smoked mandrake roots?¡± Heledd requested, finishing Patience¡¯s bundle with a neat twine bow.


    ¡°You got it.¡± He sauntered over to a small glass jar, retrieved two tiny roots, and left for the back room.


    Patience paid for her items. She reapplied Anax over her head.


    ¡°Thank you for stopping by! Hope you enjoy your time here in St. Phocas!¡± The red witch sang.


    ¡°Thank you both for your help!¡± Patience waved her farewell to Heledd and Tandy. On her way out, Patience took note of a storm glass on a side table. It was cloudy, reminding her of Anax¡¯s mist. The girl left the shop with a sliver of hope that it was wrong and rain was not in the forecast. Relieved to be surrounded by fresh air again, Patience enjoyed a few deep breaths before turning away from the shop entrance.


    Outside in the alley next to the store was a smoking shed. Bing stood facing its door, rubbing his head in frustration. Patience stepped a bit closer to peer around the man¡¯s linen-clad back. The door of the shed sported graffiti scrawled in dark charcoal. It read: Burn Hags


    ¡°Oh for gods¡¯ sake,¡± tutted Bing.


    It was rather surreal to think these two flippant words could encapsulate hundreds of years of persecution and bloodshed. But that is often the case when humanitarian atrocities are distanced by history and time. As with other religions in the world, the Church seemed to have finally accepted that witches would persist in spite of the quixotic efforts to snuff them out, and perfunctory respect and tolerance had been shown the past ninety years.


    Of course even with the quelling of public denouncement championed by religious heads, it did not stop individual congregations from perpetuating the condemnation of witchcraft and other so-called sinful lifestyles. Nor were particularly ardent believers any more open to tolerance, regardless of the standings of the Papacy.


    ¡°Do you need help cleaning it off?¡± asked Patience. Bing turned his head toward her, surprised. He chuckled.


    ¡°Not at all. These hoodlums have tried writing their messages in everything. All washed away with one thing or another from our store or supplies we had at home. Now they just write it in charcoal. Easy enough.¡±


    Bing put a thumb into his mouth and took out a globule of spit. He mashed it between his hands and rubbed his palms together. Spreading his fingers, the globule expanded into a wide sheet. With this sheet suspended between his hands, he pressed over sections of the graffiti and lifted the charcoal off, the wood beneath looking exceptionally clean. He repeated this until the phrase was all gone.


    ¡°See? Easy,¡± he repeated, giving her a wink. Patience shrunk into her shoulders and nodded, feeling a little foolish as she left. Witches proved time and time again they could find solutions for themselves. It was no wonder they had a strong community disinclined to openly seek an embrace from other humans outside of business and formalities. She should have known better than to naively ask, but something in the man¡¯s demeanor suggested he appreciated the kind intention.


    ¡°Witches are fascinating creatures,¡± Anax spoke as they turned the block. ¡°They¡¯re like you, but can do interesting things like me.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s true,¡± said Patience. ¡°Have you come across any witches before?¡±


    ¡°No. Never.¡±


    She nodded. It had been a while since Patience last glanced through a history book, but she surmised Vyugary experienced an inquisition. Eureba saw the greatest eradication efforts due to its deep-rooted history with the Church. If not killed or forced into hiding, many witches left the continent entirely, seeking refuge in Assuwa, Afari, or the New World. But as that period passed, some began to flock back to their homeland, ever proud to practice magic on the soil of their ancestors. A thoughtful hum passed her lips as she thought of the various people scattered across the globe for one reason or another, like the dust in the sea breeze hitting her back.


    As Patience wound her way through the streets, she noticed the overcast had thickened and the air chilled. A few droplets of water struck Anax, softly echoing through the cavern of his skull. The girl cursed the storm glass as if it were the one controlling the weather. The day at the beach looked to be hopeless. She made her way back toward her hotel, seeking a pastime closer to her lodging. A gurgle bubbled from her belly, whining to be fed.


    When she found an eatery that promised the cuisine she sought, the water came down in sheets. It beat into her poor jacket and soaked it through. If she were a more dramatic person, the rain might as well have been her tears lamenting her lost day at the beach. Patience kicked her boots of water before pulling open the heavy door of the Salted Strop pub.


    A hug of muggy air greeted them inside. The stale, damp smell of fabric and bodies accompanied the warmth. The dreary weather had driven many souls inside. A cursory glance at the place revealed the types that felt comfortable in the dark, smoke-stained interior. On any other occasion, the girl would have gone elsewhere, but her stomach loudly protested her apprehension. At the very least, one boon of musky establishments scant of women was that they often served the healthiest of portions. Patience closed the door, shutting out the cold and rain.


    ¡°Do you think the clam chowder is good here? Or should I go for a whole fish ¡­¡± Patience pondered aloud as she stared at the weekly menu on a board by the entrance.


    ¡°We can come back again to try something else for supper,¡± suggested Anax in a low murmur. While the pub was generally crowded with people all lost in their own conversations, Anax kept his voice barely audible, mostly projecting inside his skull for only Patience to hear.


    ¡°This place is such a short walk from our hotel, I suppose we could!¡± said the girl. She was not as cautious. If people perceived her to be talking to herself, perhaps there was a chance they would grant her more space. Unapproachable was a desirable thing to be in a place like this.


    Her vision tunneled toward the bar where the staff hurried to take orders, fill glasses, and serve meals. Patience squeezed herself between musty woolen bodies to reach the bar. The clusters of people became much more dense the closer they were to the bottles of alcohol. Confirming there were a couple of empty tables on the periphery, Patience caught the attention of a barmaid before the seats were filled. The girl ordered a bread bowl of clam chowder.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sitting over there in that corner! Well, I¡¯m sure you can find me,¡± laughed Patience gesturing to Anax. Suddenly aware of herself, she cleared her throat and paid. The barmaid smiled back and left to put in the order.


    Patience meandered through the space to the empty table she had spotted earlier. A grimace flashed over her face as she heard and felt her soaked jacket squish against the chair. Leaning forward, the girl idly scratched at the various bits of graffiti carved into the worn tabletop. The barmaid came by and set a cup of water in front of her. Giving her thanks, Patience then poured in one of Heledd¡¯s packets. Anax mixed it into the water with a slim tendril. The girl¡¯s eyes traveled around the room, scanning the male patrons. Might as well enjoy the view while she waited for lunch.


    The pub currently presented a few individuals who stirred her interest. One, a sharp-faced fisherman sat hunched over his meal protectively, his mouth downy soft in contrast to his other features. Another man had emerald green eyes set like jewels against his copper skin, his jaws smoked with a hint of stubble. Easing her gaze toward the bar, she skipped a breath when her eyes fell upon quite the striking figure.


    Every hair from the man¡¯s neatly combed head to his stiff jaw glared a silvery white. He sat upright, with more propriety than most of the brutes and blokes here. A long coat cascaded over the back of the stool, draping regally. Under a low brow, he intensely stared at the bar¡¯s display of bottles. Patience ogled him long enough to force a grumble from Anax.


    ¡°He¡¯s a hunter,¡± warned the skull.


    Patience looked the man over, sensing a stringent aura surrounding him. ¡°How can you tell?¡± she whispered from the side of her mouth.


    ¡°He bears a blade constructed with the shell of one of my brethren.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± she asked, diverting her attention back to her table.


    ¡°Yes. I saw it when we passed him to order. I didn¡¯t want to mention it until we were well away.¡±


    ¡°Maybe he got it as a gift?¡±


    ¡°I would not take any chances.¡±


    ¡°Should I take you off? So that he doesn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    ¡°The moment we walked in here it was too late. He¡¯s spotted us.¡±


    Through the boisterous crowd she saw the older man as still as could be, with his head tilted her way, glowering into her soul. She whipped her head, and Anax, down to their table.


    ¡°Dammit. Should we go? But I just ordered my food¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait. He¡¯s¡ªleaving ¡­¡±


    Patience slowly turned to see that indeed was the truth. The man wove between patrons to exit through the front entrance.


    "Curious, that," murmured Anax, "¡ªto see the shell of my kind used as a hilt."


    "Do we need to worry about him? He did see you ¡­"


    "What good am I to him? I''ve already died once. If he wanted a trophy, it''s too late. I''m yours."


    Patience warmed at Anax''s last sentence, surprising herself. She gently stroked his jaw before breathing a sigh of relief. It was a small scare to her day, but she calmed with the skull''s consolation. Eventually her meal came to their table and she was able to fully enjoy the chowder.


    After lunch they emerged from the pub to find the rain pouring down even harder. The clouds had thickened so much they brought an early nightfall. Patience sighed and trotted back to her hotel. Anax slipped a small tendril under her jacket to stroke her back reassuringly. He was content and did not mind retiring early.


    The jacket and the rest of her clothes hung over the dresser and writing desk to dry. Stripped to her undergarments, Patience drew a seat up to the small table in her room. She inspected her purchases from Heledd¡¯s shop. The paper used to wrap the items were watermarked with several insignias. She wondered if they had any magical purpose in regard to the items they protected or if they were simply decoration. Regardless, she arranged them neatly on the table, ready to be used at a moment¡¯s notice.


    The chowder was hearty enough Patience could skip supper. Without any other plans for the night, the girl indulged in another bath. Soaking in the water, she recollected the memories forged that day. Despite the rain, meeting witches, eating good food, seeing some attractive faces, and relaxing in a hot bath brought a smile to her face. These simple pleasures were enough to justify this trip, she thought.

 (13) The Hunter

    Nuzzled into the warm covers of her bed, Patience awoke and noticed the serenity outside her window. The rain had stopped and a pale, warm light penetrated the glass. She sat up with a wide smile and jumped to get ready for the day. The clouds were lazily scuttling away, allowing the sun a small peek at the town below to illuminate the puddles on the ground. Desperate to see the ocean, Patience headed toward the shore.


    The girl stood atop a sand dune, enjoying a light breeze that wound through the blades of grass bursting from the hill. She ran onto the beach to stomp in the sand and skip around the incoming waves. While it was not nearly as freezing as yesterday, Patience refused to wade in deeper than her calves. She had no swimming wear and only packed so many clothes. Patience would have continued to shuffle through the breakers had her rumbling stomach not interrupted. She paused to eat at a coffeehouse on the boardwalk before meandering over rocks to explore the tide pools.


    Each little basin held a feast of shapes and colors to distract the eye. They were only a small sampling of the treasures the ocean contained in its vast depths. Anax dared to touch a few of the odd spiney things, only to be reprimanded for his curiosity. Patience laughed whenever his tendrils jerked back in pain. But the pain was not enough to deter the skull from his survey.


    ¡°What if you get stung with venom?¡± asked Patience, suddenly aware of the possibility.


    ¡°If it¡¯s anything I can¡¯t just expel, I¡¯ll only become inert,¡± Anax said. The girl wondered whether his confidence might be misplaced. She glanced over her shoulder and noticed a man strolling down the beach with a large kite in tow.


    ¡°Oh! Look! I bet you¡¯ve never seen a kite before!¡± Anax¡¯s orb trained on the white flash of paper against the beige sand. An excited trill tickled Patience¡¯s neck. He did not require further convincing to hop back to the beach.


    They watched the man from a respectable distance. His boxy geometric structure seemed incapable of flight, and yet it took to the wind as naturally as any bird. The line unraveled, letting the kite reach higher and higher. Anax was in awe.


    ¡°How does it fly?¡± gasped the skull.


    ¡°It operates under the principles of lift. The air moving under parts of it is faster than the air in other areas, and it raises the whole thing¡ªessentially. I think a book would better explain it, but I don¡¯t think my father has any on that topic in our collection,¡± said Patience. Anax uttered a noise of acknowledgement, humbled by the new concept. There were many things in this world unbeknownst to him, and Patience. He only hoped to begin to understand a fraction of it.


    As the day dragged into the afternoon, the sun shone brighter, a hot glob of glass hanging in the clear sky. Eventually the wind died down and the man reeled in his kite. Patience took the opportunity to visit the boardwalk again and order a paper cone of fried fish for lunch. She bought a bottle of cola to wash it down. From the edge of the wooden planks, they looked across the wide, sweeping beach. A glimmering sheet unfurled upon the ocean below and cast into the distance to lands unseen. Patience pondered what it would be like to sail in one of the boats skimming off the coast. The sea was a bit less intimidating in the full light of day.


    The warmth had attracted a sizeable crowd to the sand. Patience did not feel like dodging errant children to explore more, so she claimed a quiet patch of sand as her own. She lay down on her back, allowing Anax to dig his tendrils into the sand and play with it unnoticed. The girl closed her eyes to let herself get lost in the rhythm of the waves lapping at the shore. Occasionally it was peppered by the soft crunch of sand as Anax made little piles around her. They lazed about on the beach until the sun seated itself on the horizon.


    A swath of rich rose stretched along the line where sky met water, bleeding into a mute blue and blushing violet above. The glowing disc of the sun formed the crowning jewel of the brilliant seascape. It soon bowed out, giving way to dusk. Patience sat up once the evening breeze swept in and the temperature dipped.


    At that point, the day had worn her down. She was too tired to seek out another restaurant, so she returned to the Salted Strop for supper, whipping the sand from her clothes the entire way. The only plans remaining for the night were to eat and go straight back to the hotel. Thankfully, it was not as musty inside the pub today.


    The fisherman¡¯s stew won the girl¡¯s order before she seated herself at the same table from yesterday after paying. She swore there was a new carving on the surface. Patience traced over each epithet embedded in the wood, whiling away her time. Just as the barmaid came by with her meal, Anax emitted a low rumble.


    As soon as the barmaid left their immediate vicinity, Anax growled, ¡°He¡¯s back.¡±


    Cursing, the girl hastily removed Anax and set him in her lap under the table. For a moment she questioned what would call greater attention to herself, a skull, or her burn. She bet on Anax. She could only hope that the tabletop and pack of patrons hid the skull. Something within told Patience she did not want to draw his attention again.


    Keeping a steady focus from the corner of her eyes, Patience watched the hunter stroll through the crowd to the bar, mouths shutting silent as he passed. She prayed he was only here for supper, like herself.


    The grizzled man swung his leg over a barstool and sat. Pub patrons fell back into their conversations. Patience inched her head sideways to watch him. A red-faced sailor at the bar slumped into the elder man¡¯s space. He pushed him away. Unimpressed, the sailor¡¯s face scrunched up as his mouth dropped open to spew some obscenities. With a fleeting movement to his waist, a short knife appeared in the hunter¡¯s grip. The blade threatened the sailor¡¯s face. A hush fell over the crowd.


    ¡°Take it outside!¡± shouted the bartender.


    ¡°Just showing off my knife to my new friend here,¡± said the elder man. He jerked his head, eyes shooting straight into the sailor¡¯s paling complexion. ¡°Isn¡¯t it pretty?¡±


    The sailor nodded slowly, bulging eyes crossing to focus on the blade. ¡°It-it¡¯s real nice.¡±


    ¡°Glad you think so,¡± smirked the hunter.


    A sheen of sweat appeared on the sailor¡¯s forehead as he ducked his gaze. He shifted away from the hunter, giving him ample space at the bar. The elder man sheathed his knife and ordered a lager. Once he received his drink, an unsteady peace fell over the pub. People again resumed their conversations, albeit quieter than before.


    Paranoia began to gnaw. He had seen them yesterday, and here he was again. Perhaps he was a regular patron of the Salted Strop. Perhaps not. Patience¡¯s racing mind translated to her hand swirling a spoon in the creamy broth. She swallowed a whole chunk of fish.


    As the girl picked a piece of shell from her tongue, she checked the bar. The hunter¡¯s seat was empty. Her heart began to pound. She subconsciously reached for Anax. But as her fingers touched the cool surface, she hesitated. It was a gamble: leave Anax off and she had no protection, put him on and she would be a clear mark.


    Her fingers gripped into the skull. She surmised she could always feign ignorance. She had no idea what this creature was. She had no idea this was a creature. It was just a skull she found and kept as she admired its appearance. And it most certainly did not talk.


    Taking a deep breath, Patience put on the skull. Instantly Anax¡¯s eye formed and scanned the space for the hunter.


    ¡°Did he leave?¡± he whispered.


    ¡°For now, from what I can tell. Maybe we¡¯re worrying unnecessarily. Perhaps he wants nothing to do with us ¡­¡±


    Anax closed his eye, realizing that it might draw too much attention without daylight or a strong lamp to explain it away. The stress began to send shocks of pain through Patience¡¯s scalp. She silently cursed. What a time for this nonsense. Patience slowly finished her supper, head muddling from pain.


    ¡°Ugh. I should have brought one of Heledd¡¯s packets with me,¡± Patience groaned.


    ¡°Should we sit outside? The cool air might help,¡± suggested Anax.


    Patience agreed and staggered up from the table. Her head swam. The world teetered as she stumbled out the door. She was in no state to make it back to her hotel. For now she slumped into the bench by the entrance of the Salted Strop. Her head rested against the wall, Anax¡¯s skull scraping the wooden siding. The cold sea air washed over her, soothing her body.


    Several people passed her by. She figured they waved her off as having one too many drinks. This was probably a familiar sight around the pub. And it was fair to assume they were also hesitant to help what with the monstrous skull on her head. Whatever the case, Patience was glad to be away from the crowd. In her aching daze, she succumbed to slumber.


    ¡°You there.¡±


    Patience did not know how long she had rested on the bench. But it was long enough for her pain to subside into a dull ache. She peeled her eyes open to reveal it was barely brighter than when she had them closed. Only a few lamps still burned down the street, including the exterior light of the Salted Strop. It illuminated the figure standing before her.


    She slowly took in the bronze belt buckle centered in her vision. Her gaze shifted to the right of the buckle and caught the dark iridescent hilt of a blade.


    ¡°God help us,¡± Patience breathed.


    At the back of her neck a hissing began to build. It was Anax, instinctually sibilating a warning.


    ¡°Eyes up.¡±


    The girl inched her gaze upward, only as fast as her aching head permitted. Her sight focused to stare into the hard blue eyes of the hunter.


    ¡°I-is this anyway to speak to a lady?¡± Patience¡¯s voice wavered but came through strong in the end. Anax¡¯s hissing grew louder, almost to a point of agitating her own ears.


    ¡°You are no lady.¡± A lilt of an accent laced his words, but she could not quite place it.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Patience sat dumbfounded, unsure where this conversation was going. Her mind felt slow from the headache.


    ¡°You are a monster,¡± said the man.


    Her heart skipped a beat. It was possible he knew the true nature of the skull. Still, her muddled mind slowed any panic that might have flashed in her eyes.


    ¡°Well, I beg to differ,¡± she huffed, losing any tactile composure.


    ¡°Clever, mimicking the speech of some uppity girl.¡±


    Patience had enough of this man and could no longer tolerate his condescending tone. Her vision and brain began clearing in the increased pressure of his presence. She shifted in her seat.


    ¡°May I?¡± she whispered to Anax, reaching for his skull.


    His voice came almost inaudibly, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Lifting off the skull, Patience stood defiantly. The blood rushed away from her head and her vision blurred for a moment, but she would not let this man know.


    ¡°This is my own voice,¡± she stated, only coming up to the bottom of the hunter¡¯s chin.


    The man sneered. However, his expression changed ever so slightly. He seemed somewhat amused. Then without warning, he sprang down and grabbed her wrist.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk somewhere private.¡±


    The hunter yanked hard, forcing Patience to keep pace with him lest he dislocate her shoulder. Patience¡¯s heart drummed at the back of her throat, her eyes wide and darting in all directions as he led her down the road. The streets were empty, there were no souls to help her. She gulped.


    Patience fumbled in attempt to reapply Anax with one arm. Anax may have been able to stop the hunter, but in the dark moonless night he could not foresee a blade and risk her safety. He could help her escape once he was securely on her head, in the light, and away from other people. Before Patience was aware, she found herself in front of an inn. Wrenched in his arm, the girl nearly crashed into the carved wooden dolphin standing by the door.


    The hunter stormed through a dim, unattended foyer, Patience still tight in his grip. He forced her down the entire length of a hallway. In the moment he paused to unlock his door with one hand, Patience found the chance to reach the skull toward her head. But before the helm could cover her crown, the door swung open.


    With great strength, the hunter tossed her into an armchair. The skeletal helm sank over Patience¡¯s eyes. A lamp blazed to life. At the click of the room door shutting, Anax snarled and rose to his full form, encasing Patience in his body. Seemingly unfazed, the man sat down on the bed next to them. Anax and Patience were categorically puzzled.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± growled Anax, flexing his claws menacingly.


    ¡°Hm. A pleasure to hear your voice, Creature. My name is Valon Dibra,¡± said the hunter. Without skipping a beat, he reached for an opened bottle of whiskey on the nightstand and brought it to his lips.


    ¡°What do you want with us?¡± Anax barked, his voice resonating around Patience¡¯s head.


    ¡°Like I said: to talk.¡±


    Anax stilled, but remained guarded.


    ¡°I have not seen one of your kind in over five years,¡± said Valon, taking another swig. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d lay eyes on that dark, lustrous shell again,¡±


    ¡°Was the last time when you reaped a life for the hilt of your knife?¡± Anax spat.


    ¡°Relax. I sourced this from a broken, empty shell. I spent two years in Vyugary, much of that deep in the forests. I only came across six carcasses, and only ever caught a few fleeting glimpses of live beasts. All I know of your kind are from the local stories and legends. Living ghosts, yaszaha, of the mountains. ¡± He glowered at Anax. ¡°You beasts are quite elusive, just as the name implies.¡±


    ¡°What can I say? We value our privacy,¡± Anax sneered.


    ¡°So imagine my surprise, my sheer befuddlement, after I decide to go on holiday overseas and I see you stroll into the Salted Strop.¡± A dangerous smile crept between the scruff under Valon¡¯s nose. ¡°It appears the rumors are true ¡­ you do steal the souls of humans.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Patience shouted beneath the fog.


    ¡°Well, I suppose from a provincial point of view ¡­¡± muttered Anax.


    ¡°Why should we even talk to a hunter like you?¡± snapped Patience.


    Valon looked up at her with threatening eyes.


    ¡°Hunting is pleasurable indeed, but what I fancy even more is knowledge.¡±


    The hunter pulled a small packet from his overcoat. Unfolded, it revealed several hand-rolled cigarettes. He grabbed one, kneading it between his fingers. He crossed his legs and nodded to Patience. ¡°Let me talk to the girl first.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving!¡± Anax roared as he made his way to the door.


    The distinct scratch of a match hissed in the room. Valon brought it to the tip of the cigarette. Anax tilted Patience¡¯s head, his eye began to quiver.


    ¡°Is that¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lavender,¡± said the man.


    Anax stopped in his tracks.


    ¡°Had these rolled up at the witch¡¯s herb shop right after I first saw you in the pub. It was a hunch, but if the Vyugarians think it can stop a yaszaha ¡­ well, it seems they were correct,¡± Valon chuckled darkly. ¡°I can burn the whole pack if I wanted. But I¡¯ll only do that if you don¡¯t want to cooperate.¡±


    ¡°If you go inert, I can try and run away,¡± Patience whispered under Anax¡¯s skull.


    ¡°No! You¡¯re too easy to catch and harm if I¡¯m not around.¡±


    Patience swallowed. Anax was right.


    ¡°Let¡¯s answer his questions. At least I¡¯ll be alert and can protect you.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re sure.¡±


    Valon smirked and extinguished the roll on his tongue. He kept the cigarette between his teeth and the match between his fingers against the bottle. Patience presumed he lit the match with the very same callused digits. Anax walked Patience over to the armchair and sat down, dissipating his body.


    ¡°So. What¡¯s your name?¡± Valon grunted around the cigarette in his mouth.


    ¡°P-Patience,¡± she stuttered. Valon¡¯s steel blue eyes bore into her skull. Even with Anax between them, she felt vulnerable.


    ¡°Just ¡®Patience¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Patience Firmin,¡± she murmured.


    ¡°Good, now that we¡¯re properly introduced ¡­¡± He took a sip from his bottle, the cigarette carefully clutched in the corner of his lips. ¡°How¡¯d you come across this skull?¡±


    ¡°It was a gift¡ªsent from a family friend traveling through Vyugary.¡±


    ¡°Hmph. What a fool.¡±


    Leland Unger had always been known to take action first and ask questions later. Had he been aware of the legends surrounding the skull, Patience was sure he would have at least included the stories along with the letter. Then again, perhaps she was the biggest fool of all for putting on the skull.


    ¡°And you put this thing on your head?¡± Valon tutted.


    Patience¡¯s face grew hot with shame. ¡°Never mind the circumstances of how we came together. What do you want with him? With his kind?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be asking the questions here,¡± growled Valon.


    ¡°This is less of a talk and more of an interrogation,¡± Patience grumbled.


    He snarled, ¡°Did you say something?¡±


    Quavering at his formidable presence, Patience held her tongue. The capability of this man was unknown to her. She was dealing with a dangerous, unpredictable force. But despite the parts of her brain firing off warnings, something about him excited her. His hooded eyes challenged her to look at him. His square jaw, broad chin, and defined cheekbones painted him to be quite handsome. Thirty years ago he would have been quite a catch, and regardless of the slackening skin around his jowls, he still was in a way. Patience shook her head, mostly in reply, partially to shake off her musing.


    ¡°So you¡¯re starting to learn. Good,¡± said Valon, peering at her as he brought the bottle to his lips again. Suddenly he hammered the glass down behind him. ¡°YOU on the other hand¡ª¡±


    A pained whimper whined across the girl¡¯s ears. Patience craned her neck to discover Valon grinding a small tendril between the bottom of the glass into the top of the bed¡¯s footboard. Anax had failed in his attempt to snake a tendril around the room to take the match from his hand. Indeed, Valon was a dangerous man.


    ¡°What are you even doing with this thing?¡± he asked, dismissing the limp tendril with a flick of the bottle. Anax retracted his coil under the man¡¯s fierce observation. Confident the skull would not try anything else, Valon met Patience¡¯s eyes. ¡°Young women your age should be seeking husbands, starting families.¡±


    ¡°That part of society doesn¡¯t really take well to me.¡± Patience shrugged, trying not to let her astonishment and fear waver her words. ¡°I enjoy Anax¡¯s presence.¡±


    ¡°Does he ¡­ do things for you?¡±


    Her cheeks burned red.


    ¡°I heard that the yaszaha body has healing properties.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± Anax interjected.


    Valon flipped the cigarette around his fingers, glaring at the skull. ¡°I¡¯d like to figure that out for myself.¡±


    ¡°I-is someone you know sick?¡± asked Patience, her expression softening behind Anax¡¯s snout.


    ¡°I merely want to know if the rumors are true, as with the lavender.¡±


    ¡°Well, they aren¡¯t!¡± lied Anax.


    ¡°Please,¡± Valon spat, ¡°do you believe I¡¯m stupid enough to trust anything you say?¡±


    Anax hissed, but fell silent. He would only get angrier speaking with Valon. A deep chime rang as the clock out in the hall struck midnight.


    ¡°I¡¯ve kept you long enough, Patience. Young women should not stay out this late. I¡¯ll allow you and the creature to return home. But not before I propose this,¡± Valon packed away the match and cigarette, ¡°Relinquish the skull to me and I will pay you quite handsomely.¡±


    The hunter took a slip of paper from his pocket and scribbled on it with a pencil from the room¡¯s nightstand. The note passed into Patience¡¯s hand. Immediately she crumpled it. Valon smirked.


    ¡°Well, best be on your way.¡± He stood up from the bed and opened the door for Patience. As she passed him on her way out, she caught the scent of smoke and citrus oil, making her head swim ever so slightly.


    The wooden planks of the walkway rattled under Patience¡¯s boots as she ran to her hotel. Letting her breaths come in and out as steady as the waves in the distance, the girl analyzed her options. She smoothed out the paper and glanced down as they passed under a rare lit street lamp. The sum Valon offered was quite sizeable. But Patience could not lose Anax. She owed so much to him. She would still be at home in the same rut she dug for herself if not for his motivation. However, the girl would not be here for much longer. This turn of events just announced the end of her vacation. The only choice now was to hide Anax until they could return home.


    Back in her room, Patience was on hands and knees inspecting every inch of the furniture and wainscoting. She even asked the front desk for two additional lamps to illuminate the corners. Supposing he could track her to the hotel, the privacy of her room would not be enough against a man dead set on a mission. Locks were easily picked. Anax had to be hidden.


    ¡°I need to find a place to hide you!¡± Patience squeaked as she scuttled along the side of the bed, peering underneath. ¡°I can¡¯t go around town with you on my head as long as he¡¯s here!¡± She scrambled to the writing desk and looked behind it.


    ¡°I¡®ll book the first train back to Haverston tomorrow morning.¡± Patience dropped to the floor to check the space under the desk. ¡°Dammit! If the skirt of this thing were just a few inches longer I could possibly tie you to the bottom.¡±


    ¡°Patience ¡­¡± Anax started.


    ¡°We can¡¯t take any chances! Oh! I know! No one¡¯s staying on this floor. I can hide you in the bathroom! No one would think to look there, right?¡±


    ¡°Patience!¡± he snapped, ¡°Rest! We¡¯ve had a long day. You need to sleep. We can look in the bathroom tomorrow when it¡¯s light out.¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡±


    ¡°Go to sleep. He can¡¯t come in here without me knowing. I will alert you at any sign of him or burning lavender,¡± Anax assured.


    She sighed.


    Acquiescing, Patience settled into bed. Their day had begun early and ended late. A gate creaked open and released a rush of exhaustion through the girl¡¯s bones. As her head touched the pillow, she noticed its angry throbbing. Sensing her peril, Anax reached out a few tendrils to prepare a packet of Heledd¡¯s medicine. A grateful tear rolled down from the corner of the girl¡¯s eye.


    She could see it now, Valon tearing an inert skull from her arms. The hint of lavender in the air. The hunter stealing away, melting into a crowd of people or maze of alleys. Anax, lost forever. She, hopeless and thrown back into her vapid existence. Heart crumpling from the bereavement of one of the few beings she could call a friend.


    ¡°Here, drink,¡± said Anax, bringing a cup toward her.


    The cup sat empty after several minutes. Patience leaned back against her pillow. Enough time had lapsed for the girl to calm herself and finally drift off to sleep.

 (14) Parley

    In the early morning, Patience and Anax entered the bathroom. After some thought, they deduced the optimal place to hide the skull was atop the toilet¡¯s cistern. It was high, out of the way, and hidden behind the water closet door for most of the day. Without any other guests on this floor, it was unlikely a stranger would come across the skull. Patience slipped Anax off and stood on the lid of the bowl, careful not to knock into the lone sconce affixed next to the toilet. She glided a finger over the cistern top. A light film of grimy dust clung to her fingertip.


    ¡°Well, we know the maid won¡¯t check up here,¡± said Patience. She tucked the skull away and stepped down to the floor. The girl backed herself to the door; from there Anax was hidden. She imagined even if someone taller came in, they would barely notice the dark skull shrouded in shadow, melting into the mahogany veneer of the cistern. ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon, Anax.¡±


    The stationmaster flustered, surprised to see a girl with a heinous burn on the side of her head waiting for him as he unlocked the office. She was quite determined to buy a ticket for the quickest train heading for Haverston. However, the ticket he sold her could not assuage her anxious mind. The next train stopping at Haverston would not come to St. Phocas until Friday, a full two days away. The girl¡¯s entire body drooped, and she thanked him with a sigh. The stationmaster watched as she slowly shuffled back toward the heart of town.


    Two days until she could take Anax home. The girl groaned. She had wished to explore a bit more with him, slide down a sand dune or two, try a seafood boil, perhaps even dare to swim in the ocean. Now hours stuck in the hotel room loomed on the horizon. What was a further shame was the nature of the man named Valon. She found him quite striking and, if not for the circumstances, she would have liked to learn more about him.


    Lost in thought, Patience ambled down the street wondering if she should buy some food to take back to her hotel. As she rounded the corner, her gaze locked straight into the steel trap of Valon¡¯s. She flinched, immediately feeling her face flush.


    ¡°Oh! F-fancy running into you here,¡± she stammered. She suddenly became keenly aware of her burn now on full display in bright daylight, but the man did not pay it any special attention. Valon¡¯s expression remained unchanged.


    He cleared his throat before speaking calmly, ¡°Patience ¡­ have you considered my off¡ª¡± Just then he swayed forward. An electric shock seemingly popped through his body, shaking his arms. He stifled any noises of pain and leaned a forearm against the stone wall flanking them.


    ¡°A-are you all right?¡± Patience asked, extending a concerned hand.


    Valon righted himself, tugging at the collar of his coat. His brows lowered. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he grumbled.


    The girl noticed a slight tremor still hackling his left leg. She peered past his broad shoulders and took notice of a coffeehouse down the block. Shifting her gaze to her feet, Patience steeled her heart. She rolled the dice for another gamble.


    ¡°Do you want to get a drink? With me?¡± she asked. Refusing to meet his face, Patience watched the toe caps of her boots grind into the ground. It was foolish to ask, but this might be a chance to talk him down and draw his attention away from Anax.


    To her surprise he agreed. ¡°Sure,¡± he said.


    Inching her eyes upward, she flashed him a smile and stepped past him. Relief and dread seeped through her body. She flicked her head back briefly. He was indeed following her. Making sure not to walk too fast, Patience stemmed her pace should he experience another spasm.


    Valon quickly fell into stride, his presence bearing down on her like hailstones. Her heart quickened in her chest. Walking next to a wild tiger would be half as intimidating. Patience stiffened her shoulders and kept her head angled straight toward their destination.


    The little coffeehouse jutted from the side of a brick building. Its glass-paned doors opened to a verdant patio. Several tables and chairs were set up outside, half of which hosted people sipping tea and coffee, nibbling on rustic pastries. It all looked very welcoming as the morning sun illuminated the vignette in a brilliant gold light.


    Patience stepped across the cobbled ground to the counter open to the air. She leaned over the glass case displaying pastries like gems at a jeweler. Valon came up behind her, nodding at the clerk for his attention.


    ¡°A cup of Hayastani black for me,¡± Valon stated, ¡°and whatever the young lady wants.¡±


    Astonished, Patience shot up and whisked her head toward the hunter. He raised an eyebrow at her.


    ¡°What sort of man would I be if I didn¡¯t treat?¡± Valon grunted.


    Still awestruck, Patience returned her focus on the pastry case. ¡°I would like an ¨¦clair and a cup of hot chocolate, please.¡±


    Valon paid and left to sit at a table outside. The other customers hushed as he walked past them, a few scooting their chairs farther in to give him a wide berth. The daggers he glared diverted the attention from Patience¡¯s burn. Patience tracked him, trying to understand his game. Choosing a table near the back fence, Valon sat heavily in the seat. Hunching over he placed his elbows on the dew kissed table and tented his fingers. His hair gleamed like spun gold, but his face was still cast in shadow. In another time and place, an artist might have painted him here. Patience¡¯s cheeks burned.


    The girl seated herself across from him just as the barista arrived with their order. The surrounding patrons noticeably resumed their conversations once Valon began drinking his coffee. Patience briefly wondered if this man ate at all, she had only ever seen him drinking. Over the rim of his cup, he stared at Patience. She meekly sipped her hot chocolate, eyes glued to her pastry, thoroughly oppressed by his gaze.


    ¡°So have you considered my offer?¡± Valon repeated, exhaling over the surface of his coffee.


    Patience took the fork provided to her on the plate and cut into the ¨¦clair. ¡°I have ¡­¡± she said, ¡°if only for a second.¡±


    ¡°Have you considered the medical implications if I were to use him, even for just a minute to confirm that I can be healed?¡±


    ¡°And if he can heal you, you¡¯ll just dash away with him. I don¡¯t want to lose him to you. He¡¯s my friend,¡± grumbled Patience, chewing through the chocolate shell.


    Valon chuckled, ¡°Friends ¡­ what a sweet notion. Regarding that beast a friend ¡­¡± He brought his drink to his lips again. ¡°You live alone with him?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Not out of choice ¡­ but that is how it is.¡±


    ¡°Do you like living with this creature?¡±


    ¡°I was lonely before he came to me. My parents were gone, my closest friend was away. I appreciate his company.¡±


    ¡°Still, a young woman like you shouldn¡¯t be dealing with monsters,¡± he said.


    Patience took a sip, it was then that Valon was rocked by another spasm. Slamming his cup on the table, Valon gripped his thigh, bracing himself. She nearly spat out her drink in alarm, but she looked away out of respect and trepidation. His episode earned stares and whispers of the patrons surrounding them. The tinkling of porcelain ceased, signaling to Patience that his tremors had abated for now.


    This time out of frustration, the man brought his fist down upon the table, causing a mighty clash of cups and plates. Their fellow customers were silenced once again. Patience held her breath, only releasing it once Valon¡¯s eyes locked with hers. Pity nipped at her heart.


    ¡°V-Valon ¡­¡± she murmured.


    The man rubbed his temples, his mouth softened from the dour frown Patience was acquainted with. She could have sworn a brief moment of desperation passed over his face. A draught of coffee slid down his throat. He jerked his head at Patience¡¯s plate.


    ¡°Eat. Enjoy yourself,¡± he huffed.


    Patience¡¯s eyebrows drew upward. ¡°I ¡­¡± she began.


    ¡°I bought that for you. Eat it,¡± the hunter demanded.


    The ¨¦clair would have tasted better had it not been for the immense pressure of Valon¡¯s glare, but it was still very good. She brought a loaded fork to her lips. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Satisfied, Valon eased and continued, ¡°I¡¯ve spent the better part of my life chasing game, capturing specimens, killing monsters ¡­ ¡±


    The weight of his presence sunk into the girl. This man had nearly half a century¡¯s worth of experience tracking and killing everything from deer to the most feared monsters nature had to offer. Undoubtedly, he also had nearly half a century¡¯s worth of skulls under his belt. Countless beasts died at his hands. He was a force attempting to match a dangerous world with his own ferocity.


    ¡°Is that what you do? You find and kill the biggest, baddest monsters across the globe?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes it¡¯s about protecting people from a wild beast. Other times it¡¯s procuring an asset for a museum or private collection.¡± He took another gulp of coffee. Patience shifted her gaze. It was men like him that built her father¡¯s career.


    ¡°All that traveling must be difficult on your family,¡± said Patience, taking another bite of her ¨¦clair to placate the man.


    Valon grunted, ¡°I had no time to put down roots.¡± Sighing, he leaned back in his chair. ¡°So in my twilight, I¡¯ve no one to spend it with.¡±


    Patience glanced upward, meeting his grim face. The corner of his mouth twitched. He gritted his teeth, the ire rising in his eyes. He curled his hand into a fist.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be bothered if it weren¡¯t for these cursed tremors. I just want to feel normal again,¡± he fumed, stomping his boot into the ground.


    Patience had seen death. Watching any person deteriorate from their once strong form pained her even when she had only known them for a short while. Beat by beat, the fear in her heart churned and metamorphosed into compassion. She reached a hand across the table to Valon¡¯s arm. She expected him to shrug away from the contact, but instead he relaxed into her touch.


    Valon rolled his head to the side and picked up his cup. He eyed the empty vessel condescendingly. Standing up, Patience¡¯s hand fell from his bicep. He turned on his heel and returned the empty cup and saucer to the counter. On his way out, he brushed Patience¡¯s shoulder with his fingertips and shot her a passing glance.


    ¡°Consider,¡± the man said. Valon stepped away from the patio without looking back. Patience craned her neck to watch him disappear down the street.


    Returned to her hotel, Patience found Anax undisturbed where she had left him. She blew off bits of dust that clung to the skull and put him back on her head.


    ¡°Essentially we are sequestered here in this room for the next two days,¡± Patience explained, lying on top of the bed. She had neglected to tell him of her morning with Valon and hoped he would not search her brain. ¡°I¡¯ll make trips out for food, but I don¡¯t want to risk taking you around.¡±


    ¡°No matter, I can think of a few things we can do inside,¡± Anax flirted, caressing Patience¡¯s neck with a tendril.


    ¡°We could do that at home. We came to St. Phocas to see and try new things!¡± she griped as she kicked a leg into the air.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. Let¡¯s make the most of it!¡± Anax chuckled. Patience formed a small smile. The fact that Anax remained calm and much like his usual self despite his jeopardized safety reassured the girl. They would make it through this; even if it meant being hermits whiling away their time, all the amenities of a beach town wasted.


    With the sun at its zenith, Patience ventured out to buy lunch and supper for the day. She went about it as fast as she could. The less she saw of the town and beach beyond made it easier to shut them from her mind. The deli across the street proved to be convenient once again and the girl purchased a full sausage link, a small wedge of cheese, and a container of crackers. This would do for today.


    Unfortunately, the stress seemed to have gotten the better of Patience and her burn lit up once more. Breaking off a chunk of the milky slice Tandy had recommended, Patience wondered how fast it would take to work. A nagging pinch had emerged at her crown and began to multiply across her burn. She dropped the waxy piece into a cup of hot water she had requested from the hotel¡¯s dining room. Patience had considered eating there, but her idea was put to rest after seeing the prices on the menu. After a while, the concoction in the painted china became gelatinous.


    ¡°Want to do the honors, Anax?¡± Patience asked.


    ¡°Very well.¡± He dipped a tendril in the cup and reached it between her skin and his skull.


    As Anax spread the gel over her scalp, Patience stared listlessly out the window. The sunny day taunted the girl. Below her, people wound through the streets at a leisurely pace. A familiar flash of red caught her attention. It was Heledd and Bing. This was most likely their day off. The pair of witches were walking with three children in tow, all with their mother¡¯s hair and father¡¯s eyes. Patience thought how fortunate they were.


    It was highly unusual for witches to have more than two children in their lifetimes. They simply did not have the same capacity as people without magic running through their veins. Preachers from all sects said it was the price witches had to pay for their gifts. Patience wondered if there was some truth to it. Although magic was innate to them, it did use a lot of their energy.


    But everyone had to pay a price, original sin and all that, Patience reflected. Her parents raised her fairly secularly, but she was not ignorant to the various beliefs in Keaton. She rolled her eyes up to her burn. That was her price for surviving the fire. Daydreams of a life with her birth parents have crossed her mind before, but they were quickly supplanted by fond memories of the mother and father who raised her. Still, the girl would sometimes wonder about the people that made her, who they were, what they looked like. A small tug of envy echoed in her heart, all of Heledd¡¯s children bore their lineage proudly. They knew their heritage.


    Patience watched the family pass underneath, the children happily skipping around their parents. The youngest, about five or six, hid around her mother¡¯s crimson skirt as her brother, a couple of years older, chased her. The eldest looked to be fourteen and held herself more austerely, but a pronounced bounce in her step exposed her youth. Patience was glad for Heledd and Bing. Although children hardly interested her, Patience felt happy for anyone who desired them and had their wishes granted.


    ¡°All done,¡± Anax announced. The girl thanked him as she drew away from the window.


    ¡°Did you ever want children?¡± asked Patience.


    ¡°I never desired them in particular. Was always more taken with the act of creating them than the end product.¡±


    Patience snickered.


    ¡°But if I ever did sire pups, then so be it.¡±


    ¡°Would you help raise them?¡± she asked, unwrapping the food she had bought earlier.


    ¡°It is our obligation to rear our young. Although they can walk and feed on their own within minutes of hatching, adults see over them as they develop and molt.¡±


    ¡°What about pups that are abandoned or whose parents have been killed?¡±


    ¡°Should others come across them, the orphans would be taken into a family or band that wants them. Like you.¡±


    A small smile passed over her lips before biting into a hunk of cheese.


    Her parents never skirted around the fact that she was adopted, but they steadfastly always reminded her she was their daughter. From a young age, Patience noticed how different she looked from her parents, and from most of the townsfolk. She was between the pale pink countenances of her schoolmates and the rich brown complexions of the Wells. And naturally as a child, she would form questions.


    One day after school, when she was about eight, her father took her to his atelier in Keaton. He had received a swan from a man in town who wanted it mounted in mid-flight. He sat Patience down and made her watch as he sliced the bird open. Underneath the snow white feathers was gray and red flesh. Everyone looked the same inside, he had told her. Our outward appearances made us unique, but underneath the hair and skin, we were a mass of organs, muscle, and bone. Thus he began teaching her his craft.


    Even though most of her worries over her skin subsided after that, a nag of curiosity would continue to remain in Patience¡¯s mind. Despite knowing she was and would forever be Antander and Frances Firmin¡¯s daughter, she still wondered about the place whence she came. Perhaps her next trip would be to the parcel of land where her father found her as a babe all those years ago. Although it was highly unlikely, something might have been left from a life that could never fully unfold. Patience¡¯s daydreams were cut short when she noticed a tendril slink to the corner of her mouth to taste a bit of cheese.


    ¡°What do you think of it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a bit strong,¡± Anax mumbled.


    Patience chuckled. ¡°What about this?¡± she asked and then quickly licked Anax¡¯s lingering coil.


    ¡°Oh!¡± He eased into a ponderous silence, the tip of his tendril still hovering by her mouth. ¡°I ¡­ can taste you ¡­ your tongue.¡±


    ¡°I guess most people can with a deep kiss, but since you can¡¯t really accomplish that ¡­¡± Patience lifted a hand to gingerly guide the tendril between her lips. Her tongue peeked out to take the misty coil in her mouth. It tasted of nothing and felt like a cool spray of water on the palate. Anax gasped. With his shock, the fiber of his being seemed to vibrate and a faint sensation similar to soda water met her mouth.


    ¡°You like this?¡± she breathed between the mist.


    ¡°Y-yes,¡± said Anax. Patience rolled her tongue around the coil. The humidity inside her caused Anax¡¯s tendril to solidify independent of his will and become slick. She imagined this happened as well whenever he lay with her, but she was normally wet enough to not notice. The tendril then began to search her mouth, familiarizing itself with every tooth and divot. Patience began to suck on it, drawing rumbles from the back of her head. She quickly forgot about lunch as she worked her tongue against Anax. But suddenly he withdrew himself.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he huffed.


    ¡°I thought you were enjoying it,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°Too much. Too close to the raw meat of my kills. If you kept going ¡­ I don¡¯t know if I could keep myself from tearing into you¡ªto taste.¡±


    Patience paused. She did not know if he meant that as a metaphor for sex, or if he really wanted her blood after losing the ability to eat freshly hunted game.


    ¡°Too dangerous,¡± Anax muttered.


    It was a true hunger formed in a phantom stomach.


    Patience summarily swallowed her excess saliva. She thought of the space where her skin met her teeth, it was as close to a raw kill Anax would encounter nowadays. Yes, Anax was still dangerous. However, she was slightly charmed by his admission. She was proud of his restraint.


    This being that unlocked the carnal desire within her never ceased to amaze her. She wondered how far she could tease him with her mouth, but his tendril was long gone. Every new sultry thought that formed in her mind never ceased to amaze her either. Anax had opened the door to a world with many possibilities, but lifting her from her monotony was his kindest gesture. The girl was grateful the skull was hers.

 (15) Valon

    Patience refused to sleep in the next morning. She had asked Anax to wake her once dawn broke. A quick splash of water from the basin was enough to wash the sleep from her eyes. She haphazardly threw her nightgown atop the bed before fumbling with her chemise and corset, her nerves frustrating her coordination. Teeth snapping into a piece of sausage, Patience dressed into her smock and pantaloons.


    ¡°Where are you off to this morning?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be quick. I¡¯m thinking of going to a bakery for some fresh bread,¡± lied the girl. Accepting this reason, Anax fell into silence. Patience removed him before he could detect her fiction and stowed the skull in the water closet. She flew down the stairs of the hotel and dove into her undercooked plan.


    Outside, the streets were paved with fog. Patience¡¯s heart began to flutter, spurring her to place a hand to her chest while she paced down the sidewalk. Cold droplets clung to her face. Having forgotten her jacket in her haste, the hairs on her arms rose. The mist parted ways as she swept through the soup. Her skin could not help but interpret it as Anax¡¯s touch. It only fueled her resolve to keep the skull away from Valon.


    Had it not been for the dolphin statue, Patience would have bypassed the plain wooden-clad facade of Valon¡¯s inn. In the daylight, she noticed how small it was compared to her hotel. It was rather weathered on the outside and it seemed even more so inside the lobby: furniture sat dusty, wallpaper peeled, grime sullied the windows. Patience felt a little sorry for it as she approached the front desk. She greeted the lone attendant and gave him Valon¡¯s description. A disinterested reply informed her that the man she sought had just stepped out.


    ¡°Did he say where he was going?¡±


    ¡°He mumbled something about presenting at the hunter¡¯s association as he left,¡± said the desk clerk. He barely met her gaze as he busied himself organizing keys.


    ¡°Thank you! You wouldn¡¯t happen to know where that is, would you?¡± Patience asked sweetly.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be the forest green building at the end of Juniper street, walking left of the little Baptist church,¡± the clerk stated, hanging the keys onto a board. Patience thanked him once more and departed.


    The hazy roads were still fairly empty by the time Patience found Juniper street. Dark, vacant windows stared at the girl cutting past them. A few bundled figures crept in the distance, the mist illusorily painting them translucent. On either side of her, Patience could only picture phantoms prowling. It was ethereal. The fog threatened to devour the town in gray purgatory.


    The hunter¡¯s association loomed at the end of the road. It sat between two tall trees a few hundred yards past the gambling house. Isolated and brooding in the fog, the edifice conjured a bit of dread in Patience¡¯s heart. A stately lodge, the front doors boasted the pride of hunters. Lurking wild animals and monsters were roughly carved into the thick walnut panels. The windows on either side stood covered from the inside with dark green velvet, hiding the hall¡¯s secrets from the girl.


    The doors were locked. She stepped around the corner, searching for any trace of Valon. It was then that she heard the clatter of metal. At first Patience drew back, scared she might get caught skulking around. But the fear of another spasm racking the man was greater, so she ran straight toward the noise. The back of the lodge opened to a patio area in which she discovered Valon bent over a spilled tin dish, a splatter of oatmeal cast on the brick pavers.


    ¡°Damn it all to Hell,¡± Valon cursed, clenching a spoon in his mouth. His right arm trembled at his side.


    ¡°Valon ¡­¡± Patience breathed.


    The man shot his head up, his eyebrows furrowing.


    ¡°Looks like I caught you by surprise for once,¡± she said. Valon remained silent as he picked up the dish. Patience cautiously approached him as one would a cornered animal. The hunter ripped the spoon from his mouth and gripped it so tight it appeared he wished to strangle it.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Valon grumbled.


    ¡°I wanted to talk,¡± Patience said. When she realized she was on the other side of the conversation, she could not help but laugh to herself. Valon stood for a moment, the shaking in his arm slowly subsiding.


    ¡°Well, the cold is no place to do it. You¡¯re barely covered,¡± he said, nodding at Patience¡¯s simple smock. ¡°Come in.¡± He waved a hand his way and lurched inside, bringing the dish with him. Patience followed.


    The interior of the lodge smelled of smoke and leather and was as dark as the curtains that hid it. Their footfalls triggered groaning creaks from the hardwood floors. Plush high-backed chairs circled the impressive stone fireplace rising from the center of the hall through the towering roof. Patience caught glimpses of many mounted beasts guarding the perimeter of the main floor while more graced the walls. Only vague shapes in the dim light, she could not identify their species. Valon led her to a back room, the hall¡¯s communal kitchen.


    A lone uncovered window lit the rustic kitchen with shaded light from the patio. Filling up the center of the room was a large work table with a few stools tucked underneath. Valon threw his dirty dish into the farm sink. A pot with crusted oatmeal sat atop a stove next to a wide, old fireplace. The hunter reached into a cupboard and produced a can of coffee. He began boiling some water. Patience seated herself on a stool near the kitchen door with the table between her and the man. She watched him work.


    ¡°You have a presentation here?¡± she asked.


    Valon shot her a glance with an eyebrow raised. That was the highest she had ever seen one of his brows go in the brief time that she knew him.


    ¡°It was that loose-lipped clerk. He directed you here and told you my business. I ought to show him my knife,¡± he grumbled. Curses in a language unfamiliar to Patience passed over his tongue before he turned around to stir the coffee grounds in the water.


    ¡°This chapter of the hunter¡¯s association asked me to speak, share some of my stories and advice. It¡¯s why I came to this town,¡± he disclosed.


    ¡°When¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°This afternoon.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re here so early?¡±


    ¡°I like to get my thoughts straight beforehand,¡± he replied. Minutes of silence passed as he tended to the pot and rummaged for clean cups. When he finally turned to face Patience again, a steaming cup of coffee slid over to her hand. Valon had his own in his burled fingers.


    She took a sip. It was strong and bitter, just like its maker. She dared not ask for sugar. ¡°I¡¯m more of a tea person myself, but thank you,¡± said Patience


    Valon chuckled, ¡°I figured you would be. But this place is fresh out of tea.¡± He took a seat across from Patience.


    Still, she could not meet his piercing eyes. She wondered where this conversation would go. It was as if she were meandering down a forest path between thick trees, her destination shrouded and unknown.


    ¡°What stories do you have to share?¡± Patience meekly queried.


    Valon sniffed, flashing a glance at the girl from beneath his brow, his stare a nail prick on the skin of her chest. ¡°Should I tell the story of my four month hunt through scorching deserts for the man-eating Yguain Devil? Or the time I spent eight months on the tracks of the beast of Wynossett Hills said to mimic the voices of your loved ones and lead you to madness?¡±


    Patience recalled reading passages on these exotic beasts in her father¡¯s books. As dangerous as they were, she could not help feeling sorry for them. Patience wondered if Valon would hesitate to take a life if he knew it was the last of its kind. Dragons, unicorns, gryphons, and so many other species were hunted to extinction in bygone eras: for their hides, for their organs, for sport. She wondered what could be next. The yaszaha. Anax never mentioned how many of his kind there were. There could not be that many; as far as they all knew, his kind only inhabited areas in Vyugary, a country that was not the largest to begin with.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got loads of tales from my adventures in the wilderness,¡± he boasted.


    ¡°But is that all there is to your life? Just looking for your next quarry?¡± Patience asked quietly.


    ¡°Well, not anymore. After so many years chasing the heels of so many creatures, I was finally ready to stop. But even in retirement, I can¡¯t have peace,¡± Valon growled. ¡°These tremors started as little twitches here and there, but with each passing year they¡¯ve gotten worse.¡± He leaned toward Patience. ¡°So I¡¯m on my last hunt. For a cure.¡±


    Patience reeled back slightly. She was not about ready to give up on her cause. ¡°Anax may not be your answer.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that!¡± Valon shouted, jumping to his feet. His nostrils flared. ¡°I¡¯ve sought the help from countless doctors, wizards, and even a few warlocks.¡±


    Patience startled at the mention of warlocks. Any magical practitioner evidenced to practice dark artistry were deemed in violation of the Samhain Accord and posted on wanted lists internationally as warlocks. Valon had danced with the most dangerous beasts and people alive. He was truly desperate. She gazed at him in awe.


    ¡°None of their remedies helped,¡± he seethed, slamming his fist on the table. His back fell and rose with every breath. He glared into her eyes as he trudged closer. A snarl boiled from his mouth, ¡°I need that skull!¡±


    He charged.


    But just a step away from Patience, the man froze. Another maelstrom of tremors struck his body. The girl hopped up to steady him. His solid body quaked underneath her fingers as an unearthly force shook him. She winced when he grabbed her upper arm. Despite his force, the fear subsided within her. Up close Patience noticed his muscled figure straining underneath his navy sweater, the slant of his jaw, the cords of his neck. She was inexplicably drawn to him. Her heart drummed.


    Patience¡¯s face softened. Meeting eyes with the man, she found herself falling into the icy pools. ¡°No Anax ¡­ just me ¡­ I ¡­ I want to help you.¡±


    ¡°Help me?¡± growled Valon. The severe fissure carved into his jaw tightened into a frown. His cropped beard bristled, white hairs bright against tan olive skin. Valon¡¯s fist seized at his side, his steel glare boring into Patience¡¯s skull. Unwavering she stared back. Eyes locked he staggered forward, towering over the girl, forcing her back to the table. With a hard thump, his hand landed upon the wooden surface as he braced himself.


    His stern face was only inches from Patience. The corners of his mouth twitched insubordinately. This man. He could command hundreds. Men fell silent whenever he entered a room, and they only continued to speak when he would allow them. Yet this man¡¯s own body was beyond his control. The anger and fear shone in his eyes.


    Patience clasped her hand around his. It ceased shaking. She brought her other hand to his stubbled cheek; bristles coarse against her palm. She thought they would almost pierce her skin. Touching him was as dangerous as consorting with him. But Patience felt lucky today. She brushed her thumb against his skin, and the wolf lunged.


    His teeth flashed before his mouth wrapped around her lips. Sucking and nipping, a predator devouring his catch. Patience succumbed to him. She slipped her smock up and parted her chemise, exposing her breast. Valon licked and bit down her neck as he gripped her chest with rough hands. She placed her arms around his neck, ruffling the back of his hair with her fingers. The smell of sandalwood and macassar oil wafted to her nose. The warmth of his hold ensnared her. There was a strange, surprising comfort in the arms of the hunter.


    Valon released her breast and pushed her down to lie on the table, taking care to slide their coffee cups to the far end. He undressed her, pulling off her shoes, smock, pants, and undergarments. Naked, Patience unfolded upon the table, exposing herself to him. Valon stood still for a moment, his expression unchanging. Patience began to wonder what he was thinking before he dove in again and took her mind to other places.


    Between her own breathy moans, she could hear him growl. It was low, bestial. He peppered her body with sharp kisses, carnal hunger nearly driving him to draw blood. Patience pressed her back into the table, sparks flashing under her skin at each touch.


    He jerked back and removed his sweater. Beneath the wool were muscles pulled taut under skin like worn, oiled leather marred with old scars. Veins rippled through his arms. His chest, hard and chiseled, heaved with aroused breath. Patience sensed a trickle of fluid at the base of her gap.


    Valon kicked off his boots and unbuttoned his trousers, tossing them and his drawers aside. His cock sprang forth, released from restraint. At a certain age, most men wither, however the hunter standing before Patience appeared at his peak. She wriggled slightly. From the moment she first laid eyes on him, she knew he was a force to be reckoned with. It was a force that lured her toward its center, persuading her to abandon better judgement. Patience did not want to appear eager, but she silently begged him to enter.


    He leaned over her, the head of his cock bouncing with each throb. He placed it between her bottom lips and slid it back and forth teasingly. She felt the heat from his groin and wished him inside already.


    ¡°Valon,¡± breathed Patience. Without a word, he bent into her, bracing his arms around her head. She gingerly pressed her fingers around his biceps. They were just as hard and tenacious as his personality, and the rest of his body for that matter.


    Unlike Anax who would ease into her, Valon thrust without hesitation. Patience winced, seething between her teeth. The sting ebbed into pleasure as he pumped into her hole. She wrapped her legs around his middle, desiring to be closer. The way he took command inspired her to submit. She believed he would not leave her wanting for anything.


    The man was relentless. He occupied her mouth with his. His hand groped all over her torso. His hips pounded against her bottom, the sound of flesh against flesh emphasized by liquid smacking. Patience flushed at how aroused she was. She tilted her head to the side in embarrassment. Her heart dropped to realize Valon was the first human man she had ever been with. Her mind flashed to Schuler and imagined disappointing him anew. Valon gripped her jaw to force her to his mouth again. His roiling tongue swept away all current thoughts of the musician.


    Patience had almost lost her breath when Valon pulled away and stood once more. Saliva dripped between the hairs on his chin. Patience¡¯s fluids glistened all over his length.


    ¡°Dirty girl,¡± he chastised.


    He turned around and took the cups to the sink before he doubled back in a rush, pushing three fingers into Patience¡¯s gap. She flinched and shrank into the swirling digits inside her. His thumb rolled around the wet hair surrounding her slit and pressed into her clit. Whimpers escaped her mouth.


    With little exertion, he brought his arms around her body and flipped her around. Her chest pressed firmly against the table warmed from body heat. She felt a small puddle below her navel and realized it had all come from her. Valon took a finger and dragged it through the spill and over her sex.


    ¡°Look at this mess,¡± he grumbled. He slapped her ass, a resounding clap crashed into the walls. Heavy hands fell upon her wrists, pinning her to the table. Valon then entered her once more with renewed force, reviving the aching heat of her inner walls.


    His length continued to push her toward the edge. It was not as girthy as Anax made himself to be at times, but its stiff heat was something Patience had not experienced before. It drove into her, urging her to come. She shifted her backside closer toward Valon every time he pushed her into the table¡¯s edge with his greedy thrusts.


    Ultimately she left the warmth of the wooden surface, whipping upward and arching her back into his chest. Her hands gripped the lip of the table, knuckles turning white. He clutched her hips, clamping onto the fat as a hawk would a soft rabbit. As Valon shoved into her depths, she could feel their juices slide down her thighs.


    Patience could endure no longer. She bucked into his pelvis and flung her hand around to grab his ass, preventing him from pulling back too far. She wanted to ride his cock over the edge. Valon hissed and snatched her wrist in a death grip.


    ¡°You don¡¯t dictate what I do with you,¡± he snarled by her ear.


    A spark shot down her nerves.


    He pulled out only to reinsert himself aggressively and repeated this several times, lingering on the moments he was outside, punishing Patience. Once inside again, he thrust in quick succession, relishing in her gasps. While constricting her chest with his left, he brought his right hand down and thrummed his fingers against her mound, still thrusting, bringing Patience to her climax.


    She moaned, clenching down on his shaft. Her walls closed around him, pulsating, while waves of pleasure echoed through her body. She was determined not to let go, only bucking wildly in an attempt to induce his release. He tightened his grip on her breast to force her to stop.


    ¡°We¡¯re doing this on my terms,¡± commanded Valon. With that he pushed Patience against the table again and latched onto her braid, pulling her head back. It was unfortunately the perfect handle. Her neck ached while he rode her into oblivion, his cock burying itself time and time again. It was not until Patience heard him utter a quiet grunt that Valon pressed into her hard and released.


    His warm seed pumped wildly, filling her cavity. Patience had only felt the tepid fluid of Anax before. What Valon lacked in volume, he made up for in heat. It was satisfying. The man gave a couple more thrusts, making sure to completely empty himself before dislodging. A trail of slime extended from her gap to his cock while a splash of mixed fluids splattered onto the ground. Valon slapped her backside one last time.


    ¡°You wanted to help me? This was just fine,¡± he said. As he turned to seek out a clean cloth, Patience grabbed him and stared him in the eyes. He had on the same rigid look he always carried. She smiled beneath heavy eyelids. It may have been a residual twitch, but Valon seemed to soften his face for a second.


    Wordlessly he pulled on his pants and left the room, feet thudding against the wood. Patience caught her breath, taking a minute to process her own temerity and the weight of what she had just done. She stood awkwardly by the table, very aware of the mess on its surface, on the floor, and creeping down her legs. She thought of his seed inside her.


    ¡°Oh Anax will have fun cleaning that out,¡± she said under her breath before she redressed and promptly left the kitchen. The hall was still as empty as it was when they entered. Patience hurried out of the building, back onto the streets of St. Phocas. She was unsure where Valon had gone, but she was quite certain she made an impression on the hunter.

 (16) Return Home

    ¡°The bakery took a while,¡± Anax commented as Patience slipped him on again in her room.


    ¡°I may have run into someone,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°That hunter!¡± Anax gasped.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He didn¡¯t harm me ¡­ but he did rough me up some in other ways,¡± Patience sighed. She undressed and reclined on the bed to show the skull the aftermath of her meeting.


    ¡°Did he force you?¡± Anax roared.


    ¡°No! Not at all¡ª¡±


    He snorted, ¡°You let him do that to you?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t entirely opposed,¡± Patience¡¯s voice seeped from between pensive lips. Back in the relative safety of her hotel room, the girl breathed easier resting atop the sheets. ¡°C-could you please clean me?¡±


    The skull huffed, which Patience took as an affirmation. She pulled the tip of Anax¡¯s snout to her sternum. Only able to see the dark recesses of Anax¡¯s skull, Patience closed her eyes. Cold vapor fell across her shoulders as Anax began to coalesce. The soft bedspread cradled her naked body while the creature ran ropey tendrils over her, cleaning off any trace left by Valon.


    Anax brushed the fresh bite marks and clicked his nonexistent tongue, ¡°This hunter though ¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you going to give me life lessons now?¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t blame you. Were he one of my kind, he would have many potential mates clamoring for his attention. He certainly is experienced, strong¡ªvery strong ¡­¡±


    Anax formed his thick arm and clawed hand. Patience only knew by feeling his forearm caress her belly, his fingers traveling down her waist.


    ¡°BUT,¡± Anax scowled, ¡°I can¡¯t share my pet! I do not approve of him marking you!¡±


    ¡°I know, but it meant nothing! All a part of negotiations. I¡¯m talking him down.¡±


    ¡°With your body?¡± he rasped, clutching at her mound.


    ¡°Yes. Well¡ªtrying to,¡± Patience grunted.


    ¡°Is this something humans do?¡±


    ¡°They can. Human culture is varied and complicated.¡±


    Anax relaxed his hold. He growled incoherently as he continued sweeping his hands and tendrils across her skin. One soft digit slid against her gap.


    ¡°Be gentle,¡± sighed Patience, ¡°I¡¯m still recovering. He was a bit rough.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Pet.¡±


    Anax inserted a tendril and began excavating Valon¡¯s remnants.


    ¡°You will get everything out? I¡¯m not trying to carry a child.¡±


    ¡°Worry not. I¡¯m thorough.¡±


    Patience was not sure of the science behind it, or if it was magic, but Anax collected every last bit of dross from Valon around his coil. She imagined it was easier to target this foreign matter than the bloody material her own body made. Anax deposited the gunk in the wash basin to be cleaned out later by housekeeping.


    She must have won some of Valon¡¯s attention, though how much of that was diverted from seeking Anax, she did not know. She only knew she had to lead the dog away, and break his train of thought with a tasty morsel.


    However, seeing both sides of the man made Patience sympathize with him all the more. She had intimately experienced his physical prowess and bore witness to his helplessness. Disease, a curse upon men. A war which never seemed to end. Patience scrunched her eyes and fists as past visions of her gaunt parents coughing and hacking filled her mind. She shook her head free from the darkest memories. The ways in which a body could decay while still holding onto life disturbed the girl the most.


    ¡°Perhaps Valon¡¯s right ¡­¡± said Patience, ¡°Suppose you could actually help him recover. That¡ªthat could help revolutionize medicine!¡±


    ¡°And what? Have my kind hunted?¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re sentient beings. I¡¯m sure scientists could simply take samples of your bodies¡ª¡±


    Anax hissed, ¡°I¡¯ve done enough reading from your library to be wary. Do you really think with your species¡¯ history of how they¡¯ve treated their own kind that is likely to be the most they¡¯ll do?¡±


    ¡°Wizards might be able to replicate the samples and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Honestly, Pet, you¡¯re getting ahead of yourself,¡± he snapped, ¡°I¡¯m not going to help him.¡±


    ¡°Anax ¡­¡±


    ¡°What has he done for you? Naught but give you a good basting.¡±


    She clenched her teeth. His tone grated her nerves. Patience raised her hands, threatening to remove the skull.


    ¡°Right. Run away from the discussion!¡±


    She pounded her fist into the bed. He was right. Outside, the sounds of people going about their day drifted through the open gap in the window. How the girl wished to walk among them freely with the only decision weighing on her mind being what to choose for supper. She sniffed. Casting aside the possible advancements in medical science, her thoughts drifted into the wallows of self-pity.


    Anax had a deep desire to see and experience new things. Doubts of whether she was fit to chaperone him rose in her chest. It took so much to get her to make this simple trip. She was not an adventurer. She enjoyed the comforts to which she was accustomed. Indeed, she was slowly creeping out of her cave, but perhaps Anax had little patience for baby steps. There must also come a time when he would grow bored of her, of her body.


    ¡°At full health, Valon might be a good life-donor,¡± Patience began. Perhaps Anax would do better with a different human. She swallowed. ¡°He¡¯s well-traveled, has lived through a lot, and knows so much ¡­¡±


    ¡°Why are you trying to convince me to take his offer?¡±


    ¡°I-it could help the two of you ¡­¡± she mumbled. ¡°He could be cured, and you ¡­ you could see the world.¡±


    ¡°See the wo¡ª?¡± he spat before falling into silence.


    The girl¡¯s lip quivered.


    Anax¡¯s voice curdled, ¡°Did you ever think that I don¡¯t want to leave you?¡±


    Patience inhaled sharply and held still. All this time she had not considered how Anax would feel. From the moment Valon proposed the offer, she had only wanted to keep Anax for herself. She never thought Anax wanted to keep her. He saw her as his pet, a possession even. Patience thought she was disposable, that Anax would want to move on at the prospect of something more exciting. Never did she entertain the thought that he treasured her so highly. Her heart dropped at the realization. A sad smile formed on her lips.


    ¡°Even if Valon took me through every square inch of the earth, it would not be as enjoyable as a week spent with you,¡± said the skull.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you felt that way about me,¡± breathed Patience.


    ¡°I like you,¡± Anax stated. ¡°Even with a new agreeable life-donor¡ªwhich he isn¡¯t¡ªI would miss your opinion on things, the way you do things, you.¡±


    These simple words pulled Patience back into a dark sea. Tears pricked her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s just if you offered to try and help, we wouldn¡¯t force his hand to take more extreme measures obtaining your skull,¡± she sputtered.


    ¡°Pet ¡­¡± Anax cooed. He formed a tendril and tipped it to Patience¡¯s chin. It felt a touch warmer from the shaft of sunlight shining on the girl and skull. ¡°You don¡¯t think I can take him? I will protect us.¡±


    ¡°Unless he has a whole field of lavender to burn,¡± she blurted. More tendrils formed and he coiled around her in a tender embrace. She wearily slumped into them, finding familiar comfort in this coastal town far from home.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to leave you,¡± he said.


    For the rest of the day, Patience remained in Anax¡¯s company. Save for a quick trip to the deli for a sandwich, a bottle of lemonade, and another sausage link, she passed the time in her room in Anax¡¯s arms. When a maid came by to tidy up, they explored the lower floors. The girl felt slightly vindicated when heavy clouds spread over the sky, threatening more rain. Patience bemoaned her lost vacation, but a small part of her was glad to return home the next day.


    Almost mockingly the morning sun shone brightly as Patience boarded the train. The beautiful blue sky reflected in the puddles left from last night¡¯s shower. The girl groaned and found an empty seat, an easy task as there were only two other souls aboard her car. She made sure to keep a good distance from them. Placing her carpet bag on the bench opposite of her, Patience took Anax out and put him on again.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be off soon,¡± she whispered.


    Anax¡¯s eye rolled to look around. A whistle blew and the train chugged into motion.


    ¡°I sent Schuler a telegram before we left the hotel. He should meet us when we get back.¡±


    ¡°Then can we look around Haverston tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Seeing as how our vacation in St. Phocas was cut short, we can even stay a couple of nights.¡±


    Anax trilled. She blew a puff of air into his snout.


    Patience listlessly watched the fleeting swaths of grassland pass by her window. Her mind raced even faster than the locomotive. Nevertheless, the rocking of the car eventually lulled her to sleep. When she awoke, the landscape had transitioned into familiar lightly wooded countryside. The rest of the trip was spent in silent rumination.


    By the time they arrived at Haverston station, night had long fallen. Few people roamed the streets as most of the townsfolk were home settling down for the evening. Alone on the platform waiting for Patience was Schuler, still dressed in his performance attire. The black fabric bunched at odd places and made him seem thinner than he was. Upon seeing the man¡¯s gentle smile, the anxiety melted away from Patience¡¯s stomach.


    ¡°Schuler!¡± she yelled, running into his arms.


    ¡°Patience! Did you enjoy your trip?¡±


    Pulling back from him, she dipped her head. ¡°A lot happened.¡±


    A brief pale of worry passed over the musician¡¯s face. He softened his expression. ¡°You¡¯ve had a long train ride. Let¡¯s get you something to eat.¡±


    He placed a hand on Patience¡¯s shoulder and together they walked side by side into town. Patience kept her head down while Anax grumbled something about being ignored.


    ¡°¡®M guessin¡¯ you don¡¯t wanna talk about it,¡± said Schuler. ¡°Well, whenever you¡¯re ready ¡­ In the meantime, I¡¯ll tell you about today¡¯s show.¡±


    Patience listened attentively, letting the sound of the man¡¯s voice guide her down the streets. Anax stared at the passing storefronts. The light from street lamps reflected in their windows, forming similar orbs to gaze back at him. Naturally, the skull was more interested in their surroundings than Schuler¡¯s words.


    The musician brought them to a pub. Open late a rougher cut of townsfolk made themselves comfortable in the wooden den. They quickly ordered at the bar and sat at an empty half-circle booth lit by a lone sconce. The hazy light did little to illuminate the dark nook. Perhaps it was for the best. The darkness provided another layer to hide Patience¡¯s face that would have been too easily read otherwise.


    Schuler stopped in the middle of outlining how he and his friend Whit managed to hide a stray puppy in the prop room. He leaned in slightly in an attempt to meet Patience¡¯s eyes and placed a hand on hers.


    ¡°Are you all right?¡±


    Patience nodded, petting her carpet bag next to her on the seat. ¡°I¡¯m just thinking ¡­¡± she sighed, and then added, ¡°about that puppy.¡±


    ¡°I was just getting to that. It¡¯s a happy ending. One of the stage hands adopted it!¡± said Schuler. Her lie seemed to have thrown him off the trail for the time being.


    Just then a server came with their drinks and food. A luscious ham hock steamed beside a stein of beer in front of Schuler. Patience looked down at her soda water and creamy stewed beef over noodles. Her mouth watered in realization of her gnawing hunger. As she lifted a forkful of meat into her mouth, her eye caught a small tendril reaching her plate. She smiled to herself and hoped Anax liked the taste of the beef.


    Schuler took a swig from his stein and leaned back into the booth.


    ¡°It¡¯s strange being here. Even after just a couple of weeks, my body¡¯s itchin¡¯ to roam to the next town. Granted, going between Keaton and Haverston alleviates it a little. But having a home base ¡­¡± He chuckled to himself while digging into the ham hock, ¡°Guess I gotta get used to a fixed lifestyle again.¡±


    ¡°W-would you want to keep traveling?¡± asked Patience, stabbing a cluster of noodles.


    ¡°Honestly, yes,¡± said Schuler, eyes shining with wonder.


    For the first time in his presence, Patience felt distant from him.


    ¡°I feel like this is what I should be doing, you know?¡± His leg jiggled, the vibrations reaching Patience¡¯s side of the booth. ¡°After years of doing all I could to get by, every odd-job I took, I didn¡¯t have time to focus on a dream.¡±


    ¡°I thought your dream was to become a professional musician,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°That¡¯s part of it. But once I accompanied my cousins on a rail excursion up the coast when I was twenty-two, visions of being a traveling musician began filling my head ¡­ well, now I¡¯ve tasted it, I want more.¡± He met her gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m grateful to have a steady job now, but just going to new places, seeing what they have to offer ¡­ it¡¯s exciting.¡±


    Patience¡¯s face soured slightly. ¡°I see ¡­¡± She swallowed a bit of her meal, washing it down with a sip of soda. The bubbles cleared her throat for what she mustered to say next. ¡°What excites you about these ¡®offers¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Aw, c¡¯mon, Patience. I can¡¯t articulate what I don¡¯t know I want yet. Like how I didn¡¯t know I wanted to travel until I went up the coast.¡±


    He had a point. She herself did not know how much she enjoyed her sensuality until Anax ravished her. Patience lowered her head to acknowledge the veracity of his words.


    ¡°So, speaking of travels, see anything interesting in St. Phocas?¡± asked Schuler, turning the conversation as he pulled bits of pork from the thick bone.


    ¡°I met some witches,¡± Patience said between a mouthful of noodles.


    ¡°You don¡¯t say! What were they like?¡±


    The girl told him her observations of the Lusines, how Tandy and Heledd helped her, and her encounter with Bing. Schuler listened enrapt. The hunter jabbed at her mind, but she refused to make any mention of him. If one pleasant memory came from the trip, it was that of the witches, and possibly the doughnuts. As Patience recounted her experiences, she remembered how nice it was to have an audience for her stories other than Anax. The conversation between the girl and the musician eventually meandered over rapidly diminishing plates and glasses, and ended when a server informed them they were closing.


    ¡°You headed back to Keaton?¡± coughed Schuler as they left the pub. The brisk night air stung their faces. Patience shrank into her shoulders.


    ¡°I was going to spend a couple of days here,¡± said the girl.


    ¡°Lemme walk you to your hotel then. It¡¯s really late for a young woman to be out by herself,¡± said Schuler. He buttoned up his coat. ¡°Where you want to stay?¡±


    ¡°I feel like splurging a little. Parkview¡¯s the largest. It¡¯s not too far from here is it?¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡±


    He gently nudged her shoulder and took hold of her bag. She insisted she could carry it herself, but he would have none of it. As the dark windows of shops and residences passed them, Patience realized they were walking away from the theater, where Schuler most likely had his motorbike. She really hoped she was not keeping him for too long. Once on the golden-lit steps of the hotel, Patience grasped Schuler¡¯s hand while he handed her the luggage.


    ¡°It¡¯s late. You can get a room here too.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t need it. I like feeling the night fly past me while riding.¡± He stared off into the distance with a grin. Turning back toward Patience, he hugged her. ¡°Goodnight, Patience. I¡¯ll see you around.¡±


    The girl gave him a final wave as he stepped into the deep blue street again. She sighed before entering the hotel. Supper had filled her belly, but her soul felt empty. Valon still loomed down the coast, he knew what Anax could do. It weighed a bit too heavily on her mind. Now hearing that Schuler was willing to leave again crushed her even more.


    ¡°Did you intend Schuler to stay the night with you?¡± asked Anax as Patience readied for bed in their room.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± she replied. She released her braid.


    Anax grunted.


    Patience absentmindedly ran her fingers through her locks. ¡°I just want some distraction. Valon, what he can do¡ªthat¡¯s all causing a great deal of stress for me.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s distraction you want ¡­¡± Anax rumbled, sliding a tendril down Patience¡¯s blouse.


    ¡°Not tonight. Seeing you only makes me think of that hunter,¡± she said while she patted his smoky rope. The girl then crept into bed. Relieved to feel the soft sheets against her shins, the rest of her body dropped. She made herself comfortable.


    ¡°We have the town to explore tomorrow. That should do,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°Easy enough for you to say,¡± sneered Patience, pulling the covers up to her chin. A heavy sigh escaped her chest. Perhaps she needed a trip to unwind from this vacation.

 (17) Haverston

    The next day, Patience walked around the streets of Haverston a shell of herself. Her body was simply a vessel for Anax to ambulate. Her mind was far away, buzzing with worry. The one thing to bring her back to the present every so often was Anax¡¯s excitement seeing the new, larger town. His interest piqued when his eye caught sight of the public library. Reading the words carved into the stone facade, he immediately stopped Patience with a prod to her neck.


    ¡°A library ¡­ like the one in your house?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°This building is the size of six of your houses! It must contain so many books!¡±


    ¡°But we don¡¯t have time to go in and read a whole book or borrow one.¡±


    ¡°Borrow?¡±


    Patience explained, ¡°Public libraries like this will lend out books to people for a set amount of time.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s borrow some books.¡±


    ¡°Haverston is such a long way from home when we don¡¯t have ready access to a vehicle. And you haven¡¯t finished all the books we have at home yet!¡±


    Anax grumbled.


    ¡°We could possibly make a trip back here for you to read in the future,¡± Patience mumbled. She continued to stroll down the sidewalk. The sooner they left sight of the building, the sooner it could exit Anax¡¯s mind. There was no chance the girl would step foot inside. Teasing the skull with the massive collection would be too cruel.


    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t Keaton have a library?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too small. Well, they have records stored at town hall. It¡¯s open to the public. You could peruse through those if you¡¯d like.¡±


    ¡°Are they interesting?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll tell you about the history of Keaton and the people living there.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that would be useful information if I am to continue living with you.¡±


    If he was to continue living with her. Patience¡¯s stomach twisted at the thought of Valon disrupting that. She rubbed her abdomen. Perhaps it was upset out of hunger as well. They had done a lot of walking and her last bite of food was hours ago.


    As luck would have it, they stumbled across a drugstore down the block. Patience seated herself at the counter of the soda fountain. The soda jerk was kind enough to give her an extra scoop of ice cream in her cola float, the perfect refreshment to accompany her hot beef sandwich. When the soda jerk had his back to them, Anax snuck a tendril to taste the sandwich and fizzy drink.


    Afterward they spent the entire afternoon discovering all that Wiggum¡¯s department store had to offer. It was an excellent diversion. They began their expedition at the very top floor and worked their way down as they swept each section. Patience lingered the longest in the areas showcasing bedding, toys, and confections. Anax thoroughly browsed everything from jewelry to toiletries, granting each collection of products equal time. When they exhausted all the wares and finally exited the building, the sun had long retired.


    Patience and Anax meandered through the large park, admiring the tall lamps illuminating the manicured lawns. Even at this hour, the park was alive with strolling couples. Reaching the other side, the electric dazzle of the theater called the girl. Alongside the moths zipping to the glowing bulbs, Patience found herself stepping into the warm light of the grand marquee. There were a few people loitering around, leftover from the last audience of the night. The carved doors were closed, the ticket booth shuttered. It was quiet, save for the electricity buzzing overhead.


    Animated chattering broke the silence, a familiar voice among them. Patience turned to see a well-dressed group emerge from the adjacent alley. From its depths, Schuler broke free and waved to the girl.


    ¡°Patience! How was your day today?¡± Schuler advanced toward her, sweeping back his hair.


    Patience returned a warm smile. ¡°It was nice. We explored a bit, walked through Wiggum¡¯s, around the park, and ended here admiring the theater.¡±


    Beyond Schuler¡¯s shoulder, she noticed one of his bandmates raise his head in their direction. To Patience¡¯s chagrin, he came over.


    ¡°Schuler! Who¡¯s this? Wait, I know!¡± Excitement bloomed in his boyish face. ¡°You must be Patience!¡± he exclaimed, baring a toothy grin. ¡°Schuler¡¯s spoken a lot about you!¡±


    ¡°Patience, this is Whit, our bassist,¡± said Schuler, rolling his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Whit,¡± Patience said shyly.


    ¡°Hey, we¡¯re about to head to supper at Lang¡¯s! You ought to join us!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think¡ª¡± began Schuler.


    ¡°Come on! I insist! Our treat! It¡¯s just so nice to finally meet you, Patience,¡± said Whit. By now the boyish man¡¯s raised voice attracted the attention of the other band members. They began trickling over. Patience felt her face heat up and she shrank into her shoulders. Whit whirled around, his bronze hair flashing in the electric light.


    ¡°Hey, everyone! This is Patience! Schuler¡¯s friend that he talks about!¡±


    The men and women surrounded Patience, bombarding her with introductions, pleasantries, and invitations to supper. Clearly sensing the girl¡¯s unease, Schuler tugged at his shirt collar. Patience whipped her head from one face to another, feeling quite overwhelmed. Then like an antelope at the mercy of lions, she capitulated.


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll come to supper with you all,¡± she squeaked.


    Whit whooped aloud, ¡°Wonderful! Let¡¯s get going then!¡± He turned around and began herding the others in the direction of the restaurant. The band noisily followed, gossiping about theater actors and performers they had accompanied earlier that night. Patience straggled behind them with Schuler at her side.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you got roped into all this,¡± he sighed. ¡°Whit is a persistent one.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine,¡± said Patience as she dragged her feet. A tiny tendril stroked the back of her neck reassuringly.


    The girl stared ahead at the band of merry musicians. Already their faces and names blurred together. The two that stood out were Minky and Amelia. Minky was the sort of woman who wore men¡¯s suits. Her flaxen bun bobbed over the collar of her black waistcoat. Pale fingers curled around Amelia¡¯s dark brown arm. Amelia nonchalantly ignored the attention of her companion. She was intent on holding up her lacey skirt from touching the ground.


    The pair caught the eyes of civilian men on the streets, who whistled and called out to them. But the two women were safe in the formation of their surrounding bandmates. Patience sympathized with the couple. In a world unkind to those who were different, the outcasts were lucky to find each other and acceptance among a few people. The band was a little less intimidating to Patience now.


    Lang¡¯s was not far from the theater and, as Patience learned, was a frequented spot for the band after shows. The restaurant made its home in the right wing of a large brick building with a brewery occupying the remaining two-thirds of the square footage. It surrounded a large patio space on three sides. The front of the beer garden was open to the street, only a low fence and gate stood to segregate the space. It was here that their large group of nearly twenty was seated.


    Patience hunched into her corner of the table. People surrounded her, yet she felt very alone. Her one connection was occupied by the prattling of an excited trumpeter gushing over his new niece. Minky and Amelia sat at the far end with Whit. Anax would occasionally make hushed quips about the musicians, but she dared not risk replying to him. These were Schuler¡¯s people; she would hate to be an embarrassment. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The names of the musicians immediately nearby escaped her, and she was too bashful to ask them to repeat themselves. With no one to talk to, the girl filled her mouth with bread. This long table seated a group of tight-knit friends, people who had known each other for years. She did not belong here.


    Nibbling on a piece of crust, Patience watched the restaurant staff attend the table. A young waitress accidentally kicked a violin case that had rested against one musician¡¯s seat. She apologized profusely, though the violinist seemed more amused than irritated.


    ¡°Damn it, John. I don¡¯t know why you have to bring your fiddle everywhere,¡± groaned a woman. Patience believed she introduced herself as Lenora or Laura but she could not recall her exact name or what instrument she played.


    ¡°Can¡¯t let my baby outta my sight,¡± grunted John as he bent over to pick up the case. He opened it to inspect his instrument¡¯s condition. ¡°Plus, if I didn¡¯t bring her, we can¡¯t have an impromptu recital, can we?¡±


    ¡°And how many of those have you held the past week?¡± asked Amelia with a smirk.


    ¡°This¡¯ll be the first,¡± snorted John, bringing the violin to his bearded chin. Immediately he struck out a vivacious tune.


    ¡°Oh, blast it!¡± sighed a man with enough hair to be mistaken for a bear at a distance. He bounced up on his feet and swept Lenora or Laura to his side.


    ¡°Frank! Not so fast this time!¡± she cried before he swung her into a teetering waltz.


    Without much goading, others flowed out onto the patio, the music guiding their feet. Schuler rose from his seat as well. With a twinkle in his eye, he shot Patience a glance and nodded toward the dancing band. The girl demurely shrank away, pressing closer to her corner of the table.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right,¡± he said with an understanding smile, ¡°as long as you¡¯re comfortable.¡±


    Patience nodded, waving her hand to urge him to go and enjoy himself. Lenora or Laura, who had danced free of Frank, pulled Schuler into a swirling mass of his prancing companions.


    As there were fewer women than there were men in the group, and Minky and Amelia chose each other as partners, the remaining men paired with each other. This did not seem like the first instance they all danced together. It was a joy to see. Regardless of their background, age, or skin, everyone was united in their mutual love for music. They exchanged bows and bouts of laughter. Patience imagined their entire tour out west to be like this, filled with merry camaraderie.


    She watched Schuler dance. The years of seasonal manual labor filled his lithe frame well. Her heart warmed to see him so full of life and mirth. She wished to join him, but she had never been the best dancer. Everyone else seemed so well practiced. Patience was content being an audience, as was Anax.


    After a couple of songs, the food came out to the table. The band¡¯s energy continued well into their meal. They only slowed once everyone¡¯s bellies were full, the cozy fat and juices of the meat just consumed seeping through their bodies. The bandmates relaxed and broke into several smaller groups to gossip or play cards. Schuler sat at the table with the poker game, casually staring at his dealt hand.


    Whit pulled up a stool next to Patience. Brave enough to venture near the girl with a skull over her head, he won his seat. Whit flashed her a grin before lighting a cigarette. His boyish face seemed too young for it. However, he handled the cigarette with experienced dexterity, mindfully puffing the smoke away from Patience¡¯s face. His warm demeanor invited the girl to broach conversation.


    ¡°Schuler mentioned you have a wife?¡± asked Patience.


    ¡°I certainly do,¡± he said with a smile.


    ¡°How was it for you two while you were away on tour?¡±


    ¡°Lemme tell ya, it was rough! I wrote Clara twice a month. And we¡¯d also arrange for her to travel to one of the cities we stopped at thrice a year so we could see each other. Those were the weeks I¡¯d look forward to each year! Forget holidays ¡­¡±


    Unprepared for the onslaught of words spewing from Whit, Patience simply nodded, taking the final bites of dumpling on her plate.


    ¡°Then when we got the offer to stay in Haverston, I sent her a telegram saying ¡®Darling, we¡¯re moving to Haverston!¡¯ And within a week, she had all our things packed up and moved out of our apartment in Antimoire. She was looking forward to living in a smaller town. Luckily she had the help of her family while I was still on the road sorting things out. And I was lucky I had all these grand people with me!¡± He nodded to the smattering of bandmates littered around the patio. ¡°They kept me distracted and sane while parted from my wife. Schuler in particular.¡±


    Patience smiled knowingly.


    ¡°He¡¯s a good guy! Became almost like a brother to me.¡± Whit puffed on his cigarette, eyes flitting to Patience momentarily. ¡°For what it¡¯s worth, Schuler told me all about his past sweethearts ¡­ but he never talked about any of them like how he talked about you.¡±


    Patience¡¯s face flushed. ¡°Oh, I¡ª¡±


    At that moment, Schuler strolled over. He leaned against the table, the smell of alcohol wafting on his breath. ¡°Whit treating you well?¡± he asked with a teasing smirk.


    Patience nodded.


    ¡°Are you still enjoying yourself?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just fine.¡± Patience shot him a wide grin, tilting her head to ensure it was apparent under Anax.


    Schuler chuckled, ¡°Well all right, we won¡¯t be much longer.¡± He sauntered back to his chair, Patience following with her eyes.


    Whit watched them both and laughed to himself.


    When the band reached the point of nearly overstaying their welcome at Lang¡¯s, Amelia was the first to rise from the tables and head toward the gate to the street. The rest of the men and women followed shortly after. Patience was glad to leave, her backside felt numb from sitting so long. They returned to the theater to retrieve their instruments, many stumbling along the way.


    Patience looked over to Schuler with concern in her eyes. ¡°Are you fit to ride your motorbike back to Keaton? And it¡¯s so late out.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. Nights like these, I usually sleep over at Frank¡¯s. He doesn¡¯t live that far from the theater.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no problem,¡± yawned Schuler. ¡°Sundays we only have one performance in the afternoon.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant ¡­ I ¡­ well, I do have a hotel room¡ªif you don¡¯t want to bother Frank.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. Some of the boys and I usually continue the festivities at Frank¡¯s place.¡±


    Patience scrunched her nose. Worry seeped from her pores over the excess of this man, considering his age. Most of his bandmates were ten years younger. And the ones that were close in age to Schuler had imbibed lightly. She watched him fling his arm around Frank as they guffawed and shuffled down the street with a few other drunken musicians. Patience clicked her tongue, swiveling on her feet to march to her hotel.


    ¡°That could have gone worse,¡± Anax said.


    Patience dressed into her nightgown in the soft lamplight by the dresser. The isolation of her hotel room was a great relief at evening¡¯s end. ¡°The food and service were impeccable,¡± she sighed, ¡°The band is very nice, but I felt out of place.¡±


    Anax uttered a sympathetic grunt.


    ¡°But Schuler blended so naturally with them! It really is where he belongs ¡­¡±


    ¡°It took some time to acclimate to my bachelor group when I joined.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure I would warm up to the band, given enough time. It was simply too much tonight.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can unwind now.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m still worried ¡­ even if he is with Frank and the others.¡±


    Patience stretched into the soft mattress. The late night nagged at her scalp, but the bed was too comfortable to leave in search of hot water. The stress of worrying over Schuler most likely amplified that aching. Deciding to shift her focus away from Schuler¡¯s fecklessness, Patience began pondering a list of things she wanted to accomplish.


    ¡°Maybe we ought to have a more intimate adventure next, someplace less crowded.¡± She thought of all the people she had met in the short span of time between embarking on her trip to St. Phocas and tonight. She needed to retrain her focus on herself.


    ¡°Why not go to the grounds where your father found you as an infant?¡± Anax suggested.


    The girl did resolve to move on with her life. She had told her parents she was ready. And lying to them posthumously would be in poor taste. Perhaps this would be a significant step. This entire journey navigating her life could benefit from a symbolic close to that chapter of her childhood.


    ¡°I like that idea,¡± Patience hummed, nestling into the bedcovers.


    Unfortunately, she had none other to ask to deliver her there than Schuler. The next day, pleading with a few of the theater employees, she learned where Frank¡¯s apartment was. When she arrived, it was clear Schuler and the other men were in the midst of getting over the previous night¡¯s binge. Patience regarded her friend brusquely and proposed her trip. Schuler agreed with a shaky hand held up to his brow. They were to meet Tuesday at her house.


    Satisfied, Patience left to begin a long trek home.


    There were plenty of things to think about on that three-hour walk. For one she hoped to make Schuler feel a little guilty once he learned she walked all the way back to her cottage. The second topic occupying her mind was the fact that it had been a full month since she first laid hands on Anax. So much had transpired, she felt the past few weeks were a dream. She had discovered so much about the world around her and herself.


    ¡°Thank you, Anax,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°For what?¡± asked the skull.


    ¡°For everything you¡¯ve done so far. You¡¯re a good companion.¡±


    ¡°You as well.¡±


    It was true. To be stuck with this skull nearly twenty-four hours a day fostered a high level of intimacy. A level that seemed near unreachable for anyone else at the moment. Even though they disagreed every so often, Patience would rather the company of this creature than a great number of people. Still, in her heart, she held out hope for Schuler. No matter their distance, she wanted to stay close to him.

 (18) Origins

    Tuesday came all too quickly. The uncertainty of what Patience would or would not find had burned in the pit of her stomach the past day. She waited on her front doorstep with bated breath. The rumble of the motorbike engine preceded itself. Schuler pulled up to the gate, a picnic basket strapped to the side of his vehicle. Patience brightened.


    ¡°At least you¡¯ll get to eat,¡± Anax remarked.


    ¡°It will just be another pleasant day with Schuler! No need to fuss over the possibility of finding the wreckage of the place I was born ¡­¡± Patience chuckled nervously. She wrung her hands.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to look for it.¡±


    ¡°No ¡­¡± Patience drew a deep breath into her lungs. ¡°I want to.¡± She rose to her feet. ¡°Our main priority will simply be enjoying Schuler¡¯s company.¡±


    ¡°¡®Our¡¯?¡± grumbled Anax.


    ¡°Give him a chance,¡± she sighed.


    Anax continued to grumble until they closed the gate behind them.


    ¡°Mornin¡¯,¡± greeted Schuler.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± Patience returned.


    The man nodded at her head. ¡°Anax.¡±


    The skull responded with a grunt of acknowledgement.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind him,¡± said the girl. She climbed onto the back of the motorbike.


    Schuler only chuckled. He adjusted his goggles and gripped the handlebar. ¡°So, where to?¡±


    ¡°West. My father had been on his way home from business in Antimoire when he spotted the fire.¡±


    ¡°All right,¡± said Schuler, ¡°then west we¡¯ll head.¡±


    Patience felt a familiar thrill of adventure ripple through her body as they took off. Eager to view the scenery, she leaned back as far as her tight grip on Schuler¡¯s sides would allow. She wondered how far they would go before finding the spot.


    Antimoire was the one large city Patience ever visited. She had gone once as a young child and the most vivid memory she had of the trip was the extremely long coach ride and crossing the river on a ferry. Hazy images of grand buildings that towered over the streets played in her mind like a picture show. If these visions were actual memories or a product of her imagination, she did not know.


    Patience did not wish to see the city again, however. If they did, it would mean they had traveled much too far to ride back before day¡¯s end. She was certain her father was already well on his way home when he found her. The party rode until another road appeared at their flank in the distance and converged on them.


    ¡°Stop here!¡± called Patience.


    They dismounted at the fork. She strode up to a sign announcing Antimoire fifty miles down the road. Another sign pointed backward one way to Keaton, and another, the way to Haverston.


    ¡°Did you want a break from the bike?¡± asked Schuler.


    ¡°I wanted to see this. Last time I came through here, I could barely count to ten!¡± Patience simpered.


    Anax remained silent, simply appreciating the scenery. Green hills gently rolled around them with small ponds and clusters of bushes tucked away in pockets. Lines of fencing snaked to separate fields and farms. Full trees stood as sentinels, posted at stations sparsely scattered over the countryside and filed into columns as windbreaks. Patience and Schuler breathed in the air. Out here they were open to the whistles and whisperings of nature, a knowledge lost to humans who chose a more convenient life. But for a moment as they stood there, that knowledge seemed to tickle the fringes of their minds.


    ¡°So we¡¯re just wandering west,¡± Schuler remarked with a wry smile. Pulling a cloth from his pocket, he wiped the dust from his goggles. ¡°Did your father ever tell you exactly where he found you?¡±


    ¡°I used to ask as a child ¡­ thinking I was some fairy princess out of my storybooks,¡± Patience chuckled. ¡°They were always found in odd places, like in flowers or fruits.¡± She gazed up at the lonesome road stretching toward the horizon. ¡°He described there being a black oak off to the side of the property, the only tree in four square acres among an otherwise wooded area.¡±


    The man gazed at the pastoral landscape spread around them. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got a ways to go. It does get a bit more wooded closer to Antimoire.¡±


    ¡°Shall we press on, then?¡± chimed Patience, stepping toward the motorbike. Schuler mounted the seat and patted the cushion behind him.


    ¡°All right, everyone keep your eyes peeled for a black oak,¡± he shouted over the engine rumbling to life.


    Patience hopped on, pressing her chest to Schuler¡¯s back. She whispered in his ear, ¡°I pretended I was a dryad princess for a spell.¡± The man smirked while the girl giggled at having divulged such a silly childhood secret.


    They passed by a few wagons and buggies, to which Patience would politely wave, but mostly the road was their own. ¡°Ah, the wide-open country! I just feel so free out here!¡± whooped Schuler. There was a wide world beyond the horizon, one that Schuler had a taste of. For that, Patience was envious.


    The motorbike carried them across miles of road. Eventually more trees sprouted from the horizon, and hills revealed thicker shrubbery. Farmland receded as woods crept into the panorama. With them came the smell of wet earth and foliage. Spring had many dresses across the country. It was nice to see the range in her closet.


    Suddenly the trees gave way to an open field, and at the far end was a sprawling black oak. Patience held her breath. Schuler stopped short of the imposing tree. It was so massive, so regal that it commanded a certain respect. The trio slowly approached the giant in awe. Numerous thick branches sprung from a wide base that would take five grown men to circle linked hand to hand. The wooden tentacles spread and twisted over hundreds of years to reach in every direction, attempting to control its domain.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen trees ¡­ but never anything like this,¡± Anax gasped.


    ¡°This place doesn¡¯t look like it belongs to anyone at the moment.¡± The girl peered around, but there were no structures indicating any human presence. ¡°Let¡¯s look around.¡±


    ¡°Want me to help or should I start setting up our picnic?¡± asked Schuler. ¡°Was thinking under the tree would be nice.¡±


    Patience nodded in agreement. ¡°Go on. Call me when it¡¯s ready.¡±


    Schuler walked to his motorbike to grab the accouterments. Yards away, Patience began surveying the open field. She methodically started by the tree, proceeding forward along an imagined blueprint of the property. Her father stated the black oak was to the side of the house. She was determined to comb through the majority of the field in the hope of finding anything that may have come from the home that burned down all those years ago.


    Patience searched with her eyes and feet. Her vision strained to discern any odd shape between the tall grass. Through the soles of her boots, she felt through every mound of dirt she stepped on for rubble. Anax assisted as well, his orb scanning the ground near and far. The trill of red-winged blackbirds pealed through the meadow.


    The sun reached its zenith. By now in her methodical pacing, Patience had nearly reached the center of the field, far from the receding shade of the black oak. The sun¡¯s first showing of strength poured on their backs: practice for the coming summer.


    Under the tree, Schuler had set up a quaint picnic. Plates and napkins spread neatly around two covered dishes. A bottle of soda water stood leaning against the basket. Schuler rested on a thick root that breached the ground. All that remained to complete the scene was the two surveyors¡¯ presence. Lunch called to her, and Patience was about to buckle. But the moment she stepped to her right to turn back, her boot tapped on something quite dense.


    Patience¡¯s eyes lit up. She crouched down and spread away the grass with her arms, Anax extending tendrils in assistance. Nestled in the ground was a crumbling brick. She paced forward, sweeping the area. More bricks. The girl fell to her knees and began brushing away the dirt that had accumulated from years of exposure. Underneath the caked mud and dust, blackness emerged. A fire most definitely razed the area once. She shot a glance to Schuler under the tree. He knew she had found something. Patience and Anax continued to scour for anything more as the man made his way over.


    ¡°So this is where you came from,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°I suppose so,¡± said Patience. Ultimately their search only resulted in several more blackened bricks. The trio stood over the pile. Schuler clapped a hand on Patience¡¯s shoulder before retracting it back to his side. It may have been an insignificant stack of crumbling blocks, but it stood as a monument in her eyes: of her humble beginnings, a foundation for what she was now. She stared at the pile, reverent.


    A strange, familiar feeling crept into the girl¡¯s bones. Her mind flashed back to the day she visited the cemetery. These bricks were grave markers. She was visiting the resting place of her other parents. The kin lost to history. Patience bowed her head. She held a hand over her heart. Having paid her respects, the girl then began walking to their awaiting lunch. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Anax,¡± said Patience. She looked behind her. Schuler tailed them in silence. ¡°If we ever find ourselves in Vyugary, would you want to look for the place you came from?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m unsure if it can be found. Who knows how the lands have changed since I fell ¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t even want to try?¡±


    ¡°The places of our birth hold no importance. Never do we stay in the same spot for long.¡±


    Patience touched a hand to his mandible.


    Having reached the shade of the oak, she lifted her arms wide to cool off. The entire world spread out from her fingertips, but those bricks a few hundred yards away anchored her. They were solid little things that marked the beginning of her existence. She had found something tangible, secure. Now it was time to focus on Schuler¡¯s company.


    ¡°Ready for lunch?¡± the man quietly asked as he dispersed the cutlery.


    Patience nodded.


    They sat down upon the blanket with their legs crossed. Patience¡¯s eyes fell over the modest feast before them. The main course was a luscious meatloaf dressed with roasted miniature potatoes. To accompany it was a vegetable casserole. A dessert of apricot jam bundt cake remained tucked in the basket for now.


    ¡°Shoot. Forgot to pack glasses,¡± sighed Schuler. ¡°You comfortable drinking from the bottle?¡±


    ¡°That will be fine.¡± Patience¡¯s heart fluttered at the thought of sharing a bottle with Schuler. She breathed a little quicker as she piled food onto her plate.


    ¡°Did you make this?¡± asked Anax, flicking a tendril over a slice of meatloaf.


    ¡°Everything but the cake,¡± Schuler replied.


    ¡°Hm! I underestimated the breadth of your skills.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡±


    The meatloaf certainly was good, as was everything else. Patience was just as impressed with Schuler¡¯s ability to cook. They made short work of the meal, cleaning off the dishes. Patience lapped up the last smear of sauce from her fork before remembering the dessert. They concluded they would save it for later and in the meantime digest.


    The sun illuminated the pleasant view around them. The blackbirds sang their sharp melodies. Lounging on the picnic cloth, Patience plucked a blade of grass hovering over the edge. She sandwiched it in her palms between her thumbs, and maneuvered her hands between Anax¡¯s jaws. She blew. A shrill bleat squealed through the air.


    ¡°What is that?¡± snapped Anax.


    ¡°It¡¯s a grass whistle!¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ve never tried this before, so don¡¯t laugh,¡± Schuler said, fetching his own makeshift reed. Anax flinched at the noise whining from the man¡¯s hands.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never made a grass whistle before?¡± Patience uttered. ¡°I did it all the time as a kid.¡±


    ¡°Well, I never had much time as a kid to do anything fun,¡± he explained, letting the blade of green flutter down from his hands.


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t know ¡­¡± said the girl. Come to think of it, she knew very little of Schuler¡¯s past. ¡°What was it like growing up?¡±


    ¡°I was born in the midst of the war. My father was safe from the draft for a while, being a married man, but he soon had to serve his time. He came back at least, well, most of him. To make up for the wages he could no longer earn, my older brother Albert and I went to work as soon as we could. We even had to plead with our mother who wanted us to focus on our education instead. But we saw they were barely making ends meet and didn¡¯t want to end up poorer than when our family first immigrated here. We¡¯d take any job that would have us.¡±


    ¡°Where did you find the time to learn the guitar?¡±


    ¡°I found work running errands at a guitar-maker¡¯s. It didn¡¯t pay spectacularly, but the master of the establishment offered to teach me to play on the side. I thought it was a neat instrument and it gave me some reprieve from work, so I accepted.


    ¡°Albert gave me so much shit about not finding something that paid better. That was until I insisted he come to the workshop one afternoon and I played a bit for him. He saw that I had a knack for it and shut up after that,¡± Schuler chuckled.


    ¡°What did your parents think of it?¡±


    ¡°They were happy in a way. I suppose they felt a bit guilty ¡­ since I never had much of a childhood to enjoy myself. So they thrust their support into the one thing they found me to love.¡± He took a sip from the bottle. ¡°It was a long while before that paid off, though. I just wish they were around when I had my first public performance.¡±


    Patience gazed beyond the oak¡¯s new foliage pensively. A small part of her wanted to ask how he handled the passing of his parents, but she thought it might be a wound best left alone for now. It was a beautiful day. She had to enjoy it.


    Suddenly the distant clopping of hooves sounded on the road. Patience sat up, craning to see a wagon pulled by two mules coming toward them. Her neck bristled. This could be her chance to learn the history of this place. She sprang to her feet and hollered a greeting to the old man atop the wagon, waving him down. He slowed to a stop and tipped his hat.


    Patience shyly approached him, Schuler rising behind her. ¡°Excuse me, but you wouldn¡¯t happen to have lived in these parts for a while?¡± she inquired sweetly.


    ¡°By the river. Only ever passed through here to get to Haverston.¡±


    Patience¡¯s face drooped.


    ¡°Any idea of who used to live here?¡± Schuler motioned around him.


    ¡°No one¡¯s lived here for a long time. But there used to be people here.¡±


    ¡°What sort of people?¡± Patience asked.


    ¡°Folks from not around here.¡±


    ¡°From where, then?¡± she pressed.


    ¡°No idea. We left ¡®em well alone.¡± The old man shrugged. ¡°All we knew was they didn¡¯t speak our language.¡± He stared at Patience. ¡°They looked like you ¡­ just without that skull. Is that a cultural thing?¡±


    Patience shifted on her feet. ¡°Hardly so.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember a fire here?¡± prodded Schuler. ¡°We came across some old, burnt bricks.¡±


    ¡°Hm ¡­ actually there was a drought that lasted some years a couple decades back. It was really dry here. Lots of wildfires, and a few homes burned too. But that¡¯s all I know.¡±


    Patience dipped her head and swallowed. She looked back up. ¡°Thank you so much for your time!¡±


    The old man nodded and tipped his hat once more. ¡°Well, I best be off. Enjoy your picnic!¡±


    They waved him farewell, watching the wagon mosey down the road. As it grew smaller and smaller in the distance, the sound of hooves faded into silence.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you didn¡¯t get a more definite answer,¡± said Schuler.


    Patience faced him, her mouth widening into a smile. ¡°This was already more than I could ask for!¡± She placed her hands on her hips. ¡°I just wanted to find this tree, but some bricks too? And we have a vague idea of what happened here. Really, I couldn¡¯t be happier.¡± She caught her breath. ¡°This was all I needed to know ¡­ that I did come from somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Mm, being a fairy princess doesn¡¯t sound too bad either, though,¡± Schuler quipped.


    She chuckled as she let her eyes fall over the field. Things could have turned out very differently, but the girl was thankful for the life she knew and had. That smoldering curiosity in her heart had been quenched. It mattered not where her birth parents came from, she knew she came from here, this piece of land nestled in the woods of northeast Maryana. And like the black oak, this was where she was rooted. This was where her own history began. Finding this place had stilled something inside her.


    The girl felt light on her feet. This day out required something to cap it off. ¡°Want to climb the tree?¡± she asked, a grin pinching her cheeks.


    ¡°Would you like an escort to your palace, your royal highness?¡± asked the musician with a bow.


    ¡°How about I race you!¡± laughed Patience as she broke into a run.


    ¡°You can¡¯t get a head start like that!¡± Schuler yelled as he darted after her.


    The trunk was squat and fat, the first notch within easy reach. Patience lifted herself up onto a thick limb. From there she clambered up to the next foothold. As she rose higher and higher, a humming crescendoed at her nape.


    ¡°Are you all right, Anax?¡± she asked.


    ¡°My kind don¡¯t normally climb trees,¡± he mumbled.


    ¡°Well, if you feel that I¡¯m unsteady, you can easily anchor us with your tendrils.¡±


    Immediately at the suggestion, Anax shot his vaporous ropes around the nearest bough. Patience chuckled to herself. She peered down and saw that Schuler was a few feet behind her.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming, I¡¯m coming,¡± Schuler huffed. ¡°I¡¯m not as young as I used to be.¡±


    Patience smiled and returned her gaze above. She eyed a particular branch that looked solid enough to support them all. Its placement looked promising for a good view of the area. With some help from Anax, Patience maneuvered around the trunk to reach her target. A slimmer cross branch stretched over the thick bough and made an excellent handrail. She held on tightly, shuffling along, and slowly rose to her feet.


    ¡°Er, can I request a little help here?¡± gulped Schuler. He was stuck with one foot around the leader branch and his other on a limb stump.


    ¡°Anax, please?¡± cooed Patience.


    Anax sighed and extended a hefty tendril to grasp the man¡¯s forearm. He pulled Schuler up beside them.


    Together they crept a short distance along the branch until their heads peeked out from the foliage. Patience and Anax gasped while Schuler let out a long whistle. The land lay in a green sheet below them, the road a mere brown strip crossing through a quilt of grass. The surrounding trees piled like dark wool at the periphery of the abandoned property. Beyond them were wooded knolls, gentle rolling waves in the earth. Bald patches revealed the rich soil of cleared fields, their crops barely beginning to spread green over them once again.


    ¡°Hey look!¡± said Schuler, tapping Patience¡¯s back, ¡°A sharp-shinned hawk!¡± He extended an arm over her shoulder. Patience followed his pointing finger to see a small hawk perched in a tree across the field. Its dusty gray head bowed into a russet and white chest. The girl smiled, bowing her head toward the man.


    ¡°Schuler, since when were you able to identify birds?¡± she teased.


    ¡°Decided to try a bit of birding while on tour,¡± he said. ¡°Impressed?¡±


    ¡°A bit,¡± she smirked.


    They then stood there for some time more, Anax firmly grasping the both of them, holding fast to the leading branch. The breeze picked up, the leaves rattling together until they became a chorus of waves breaking across soft sand. Nothing but green enveloped the trio. Patience felt so very far away from the coast. This was her domain. With Anax and Schuler at her side, Valon slipped further from her mind.


    Once they were ready to leave, Anax refused to allow Patience and Schuler to attempt to navigate their way down themselves. He formed his body around Patience, with plenty of anchor tendrils still, and wrapped more coils around Schuler¡¯s middle. Anax then gripped into the bark with his claws and more ropes, steadily maneuvering down to reach the trunk. From there it was merely a short hop until their feet felt the ground once more.


    It amused Patience to see how careful Anax was. She could only surmise he feared falling again. Even in his second life, when he was capable of so much more with his body, he took precautions. They finished off the outing with the bundt cake that Schuler had bought from the Haighs¡¯ bakery.


    With everything packed, Schuler leaned against his motorbike. Patience strode out to the bricks in the field and bade a final farewell to this place. Nothing was said. She felt it in her heart. Patience gave a quick nod to the bricks and turned to the road.


    On their way back toward Keaton, Patience¡¯s head grew heavy under the accumulated weight of all that transpired in the past three weeks. Three weeks ago she had been reborn to the world. And in three weeks she had experienced a considerable amount. After everything, a well-deserved rest was needed.

 (19) The Plan

    Patience idly wondered what Schuler was doing today. When he returned her home yesterday after their modest foray into the west, he left before she could start supper. He made no mention of any plans. Patience sucked on her tongue. No matter. Right now it was her time to unwind.


    After a breakfast of biscuits and eggs, she settled into the parlor. Patience was nearly finished with the book Anax had interrupted almost a month ago. Meanwhile, Anax snaked a tendril to the shelf to select his next literary conquest. The creamy pages flitted through her fingers as she searched for where she had last left off reading. A smile crept over her lips when her eyes fell on the first line of the final chapter.


    At that moment, a vigorous rapping came from the door. An echo that was Patience¡¯s heart immediately followed. She placed her book down on the cushion, abandoned again. A knot formed in her stomach. Striving for ghostly silence, the girl tiptoed to the window. She felt the blood pulsing through her ears as she shakily peered out between the half-drawn curtains to see who was there to knock so violently. A flash of silver caught her eye.


    ¡°He¡¯s HERE! He found us!¡± Patience wheezed, ducking to the floor.


    ¡°Hmph. He¡¯s good,¡± Anax calmly noted. ¡°This is your house. You know where to hide me.¡±


    Patience gulped and nodded. She pushed the skull away from her own. Crawling to the fireplace, she reached a hand up into the chimney. Inside was a brick ledge just wide enough to support Anax if he leaned against the wall. Many years ago, she had discovered this spot in her quest to hide the sun-dried body of a snake from her mother. If there was one creature Frances Firmin could not stand in the house dead or alive, it was a snake. Ultimately the carcass fell victim to an infantile lapse in memory, becoming sacrifice to a cold night¡¯s fire. For a brief moment Patience questioned the combustibility of Anax, but she had learned her childhood lesson. The girl placed him there, taking care to unsettle as little soot as possible.


    The rapping continued impatiently, shaking the very pins in the door¡¯s hinges. Patience bounded to the kitchen to dunk her hands into the sitting water of a bowl she meant to clean later. She wiped her hands on the seat of her pants and finally attended the door. As it swung open, her greatest fear was confirmed. Valon stood before her. He wore a familiar glower.


    ¡°H-how did you f-find me?!¡± Patience stammered.


    ¡°I¡¯m a hunter,¡± said Valon.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question.¡±


    The man snorted, ¡°Firmin was a name I heard a few times during that meeting of the hunter¡¯s association. Your father was a master taxidermist, correct? There aren¡¯t many Firmins around.¡±


    ¡°Y-yes,¡± admitted Patience. She regretted giving him her real name. The girl began to sweat now that the predator was at her throat. She was cornered. All the moisture from her mouth evaporated.


    ¡°That day we had coffee, I noticed the corner of a train ticket peeking from your pocket. Then under the guise of a concerned uncle looking for his runaway niece, I asked the stationmaster where you were headed. Once in Haverston, it was but a simple task asking for the Firmin residence.¡± His boot tapped on the front step. ¡°But let¡¯s get to the point. I¡¯m here to ask for your help,¡± Valon stated.


    Her help. Some sort of switch within her flipped. Patience plumped her lips to appear fuller than they normally were. He still sought her. He had not even once asked about Anax since he arrived. She relaxed a little, lowering her shoulders and enhancing the presence of her collarbone. Patience sidled up to him, swirling her tongue to coax more saliva into her mouth.


    ¡°So soon?¡± she crooned.


    He raised an eyebrow. Patience persisted, stroking Valon¡¯s chest. Her nails gripped into the wool. She tugged him her way, inviting him inside.


    Valon¡¯s nostrils flared. He sauntered to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair. Without breaking eye contact, he undid his pants, sliding them down. His leer no longer felt like hellfire to Patience. It was now a sinful lock between them, burning and setting her insides ablaze. He pulled his drawers down and sat upon the seat with his right arm on the table and his left upon his thigh.


    ¡°Strip,¡± Valon demanded in a soft voice with an edge of aggression.


    Unable to refuse him, Patience obeyed. A breath of a chuckle escaped her nose as she smirked. ¡°Yessir.¡±


    She casually pulled her blouse over her head and then slinked out of her pants. Once down to her undergarments, she reduced her pace. Patience unhooked her corset in precise, careful movements. The chemise underneath found itself flung to the floor. As she undressed, she watched Valon¡¯s cock roll against his thigh, twitching to attention. Her skin prickled from the cool air of the kitchen. She finally undid the belt of her drawers and let the fabric follow the chemise. Anticipation tingled over her body. Now completely bare, a drip of wet slid from her gap.


    Valon patted his lap, urging her to come to him. Patience lightly stepped over her discarded clothes and stood in front of the hunter. Not having to tilt his head far, he met her gaze.


    ¡°Come on, then,¡± he said.


    Wordlessly Patience brought her legs over his thighs and straddled him, her arms resting on his shoulders. His left hand glided up her side, sending a shudder along her spine. Her slit gently parted around Valon¡¯s shaft. His cock pulsed, drawing a thin strand of fluid from her sex. Her face drew close. In the clear light, Patience drank in every whisker and fine line that had escaped her in the dimness of their last encounter. His heavy breath kissed her chin. A faint scent of smoke and citrus met her nose.


    She leaned her head in closer, nose nearly touching the bridge of his. It was not unwelcomed, but Valon did not change his expression. She pouted. Something about him made her want his attention. Patience needed to draw some emotion out of him. It was her challenge.


    Her lips slowly wrapped around his mouth, separating to release her tongue to seek out his. However, he quickly took control. Lunging in, his jaw worked her roughly. Patience rolled her pelvis against him. His upright cock slid along her aching gap. Gently rocking her bottom half, she savored the sparks the touch of his flesh sent across her slit. Valon slapped her ass, ushering for the next phase.


    Clutching his broad shoulders, Patience lifted herself onto his cock. She eased herself over it, hoping to soak in the sensation. Except Valon grabbed her hips and forced her down the last half. She gasped, her breath cut short by his silencing mouth. Flourishing in his heat, she bucked into him.


    Aiding with his strong arms, Valon eventually had her bouncing on his cock. Patience¡¯s moans hitched with each slam. The resounding wet slaps further fueled her arousal. Her hand kept busy, rubbing the back of his head and neck. Her other hand buried underneath his shirt and massaged his hard torso.


    Between kisses she attempted to catch glimpses of the man¡¯s face. She wanted to see his eyes, to get a sense of what he might be feeling. But it was a difficult task. He never stilled his head long enough for a good look. And if he did, he bumped Patience around too furiously for her vision to settle. Valon would continue to be a mystery. Pondering over his thoughts would be a fruitless labor. So Patience decided to simply lose herself to his motions. And what motions they were.


    He jacked into her chamber, leaving no space between their flesh. Fully enthralled, Patience ground into his cock. The heady, full feeling rose from her loins through her chest with each of his thrusts. Her legs folded around his sides, the cool surface of the chair-back on her calves. Valon sucked her neck, growling and nipping in between, drawing out wild cries from her mouth. In the back of her mind, Patience was glad Anax was inert at the moment. She would not hear the end of it from him if he learned she was losing this much control.


    Valon then wrapped his arms around her thighs. He sharply stood up, the chair squealing as it scuttled away from them. The strength surging from his body astounded Patience. Gripping her tightly, the man lifted her up, cock digging into the pit of her hips. Her legs grasped his middle. Lewd squelches echoed in the kitchen. Had anyone peered through the kitchen window, they would meet Valon¡¯s pumping buttocks and the crimson face of Patience, mouth agape, gasping in exaltation.


    She kicked her legs straight, propelling herself to breach the top of the mountain of pressure. Valon reached his hand closer to the bottom of her groin and began kneading the muscles there. Out of breath, she rested her head against his chest, only letting her bottom half continue to work. Nearly there. Patience diminished her thrusts, deliberately pulsing her inner walls around Valon¡¯s length. Almost coming to a full stop, she then pressed her loins firmly against the hunter. He gave another squeeze and they both released. Their pelvises wantonly jerked as Valon pumped into her cavity and as she attempted to drink it all.


    Panting through her ecstatic throes, Patience held her arms tightly over him. She could hear Valon¡¯s heavy breaths escape his nose above her. He gritted his teeth to stifle grunts desperately seeking to flee his mouth. After they calmed, Valon slipped her off of him. A splash of fluid dripped to the floor. A long silken thread extended from his tip. It broke when his still slightly tumescent cock twitched.


    ¡°Now about that help,¡± said Valon, shuffling toward the sink, his pants around his ankles.


    ¡°Hold on, I thought that was it!¡± Patience exclaimed, standing naked in the kitchen.


    ¡°No. I just wanted that. There¡¯s something else you can do for me.¡±


    ¡°Wh-what do you want?¡±


    Valon found a dishtowel and wiped himself clean. ¡°Your father mounted a few of the specimens in the Manford Museum of Natural History in New Amstel.¡±


    Patience looked away. She murmured, ¡°He¡¯s worked with many institutions throughout his career ¡­¡±


    ¡°Funny thing happened in St. Phocas. After my presentation, a few of the fellows and I went to the gambling house for drinks and a game of cards.¡± He reapplied his drawers and pants. ¡°I suspected one of them to be cheating and thus, showed him my knife.¡±


    ¡°As you do,¡± Patience huffed, putting on her undergarments.


    Valon continued as though he were never interrupted, ¡°Lips loose from rum, he mentioned a peculiar specimen that shone exactly like my knife¡¯s handle. He came across it in a back room of the museum during a private tour. The way he described it¡ªwell, it made me think of a particular beast.¡±


    Valon was indeed the wrong man to consort with.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear of your father¡¯s passing, but I need you to use your connections to get that skull for me.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t steal from a museum!¡±


    ¡°You said you wanted to help me. Either we get that skull, or I will find yours and take him.¡±


    Valon took out a cigarette of dried lavender and matches from his pant pocket and lit the roll. Patience¡¯s expression matched the staunch frown usually gracing the hunter¡¯s face. The man now had a curl of a smile pinned between his jowls. He had the upper hand, just as he liked.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll help you,¡± sighed Patience in defeat. ¡°Let me think of a plan and then I¡¯ll contact you.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Wonderful,¡± said Valon, ¡°You can find me at the Comstock Inn in Keaton. Leave me a message.¡± His expression barely changed despite his victory. He was expecting it all along. The man put out the cigarette on a cutting board and returned it to his pocket. With a half-hearted nod toward Patience, he let himself out. As he threw the door open, he nearly crashed into Schuler who was just outside, gripping a basket. Valon grumbled, sidestepping the musician to continue on to the road.


    Schuler stared dumbfounded at the older man. He then glanced inside, meeting eyes with a scantily-clad Patience.


    ¡°Oh, God!¡± Schuler yelped, averting his gaze.


    ¡°Schuler! I¡¯m sorry! Let me¡ª¡± Patience¡¯s face flushed a deep red as she stumbled over to close the front door, but not before dragging Schuler inside. She scrambled to dress over her underclothes.


    Once properly covered and Anax was retrieved from the chimney, Patience invited Schuler to sit at the kitchen table. She deliberately hovered over where Valon had sat. ¡°Sorry, again. But I didn¡¯t know you were coming over ¡­¡±


    Schuler dropped his basket on the table and begrudgingly pulled out the chair by the stove. Patience affixed Anax to her head, taking the seat opposite him. This brewing confrontation would be easier to bear with Anax to stand between her and the man.


    Schuler stroked his whiskers and spoke, ¡°I wanted to surprise you with lunch, but¡ªCan I say my piece on that man I ran into?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Schuler,¡± whimpered Patience, preparing for the backlash.


    ¡°Patience! I can¡¯t believe you!¡± Schuler threw his hands into the air. His mouth distorted into a scowl.


    ¡°You can¡¯t tell me whose company I can keep!¡± she retorted.


    ¡°I know! I just¡ªI worry about you!¡± Schuler bit his fist, trying to gather himself. ¡°Who is he anyway?¡± he asked with pleading eyes.


    ¡°A man I met during my vacation,¡± confessed the girl.


    ¡°And he came all the way here to you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s nothing serious. We have ¡­ an arrangement.¡± Patience shifted her eyes away, even though they were difficult to see with Anax on her.


    ¡°That seems rather ¡­ precarious,¡± grunted Schuler, fighting for the right words. ¡°He doesn¡¯t sit well with me.¡±


    ¡°He has matters with Anax that I¡¯m sorting out¡ªin my own way.¡±


    ¡°So you ARE in trouble!¡±


    ¡°I will take care of it!¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you can handle whatever shit you¡¯re embroiled in?¡± Schuler passed a hand over his face. ¡°This really isn¡¯t like you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not the same girl you met six years ago!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, you¡¯re going out risking your safety! I just want you to be okay! The Patience I knew was comfortable staying at home, working the garden, playing with skeletons¡ª¡±


    ¡°Maybe I needed a change in scenery,¡± Patience interjected.


    ¡°She¡¯s been playing with skeletons in a new way!¡± quipped Anax.


    ¡°Shut it, Anax,¡± snapped the girl.


    Schuler crossed his arms and slouched into the chair, looking quite despondent.


    Hanging her head, Patience softened her voice, ¡°This house, it¡¯s too full of memories. I have to go out and make new ones. Memories of my own ¡­ with Anax ¡­ and anyone else I choose.¡±


    Schuler stared out the window in abject silence.


    ¡°Are ¡­ are you still bitter about me declining your marriage proposal?¡± she murmured.


    The man brought a hand to his brow, smoothing back his black hair. There were more streaks of silver than Patience had remembered last. His gaze rolled to meet hers.


    ¡°Can you blame a man?¡± asked Schuler.


    Patience flicked her head to the side, afraid to look at his face.


    ¡°I wanted to give you that change in scenery,¡± he said.


    ¡°I ¡­ wasn¡¯t ready then ¡­¡±


    Schuler reached over the table, offering his hand. Patience extended her arms and clasped his palm between her own, running her fingers over his callused ones.


    ¡°I can still give you that change,¡± said Schuler, a weak smile on his lips.


    ¡°I ¡­¡± Patience knew deep down in her heart she was not ready. She was not ready to commit to him and lose him. She did not know if she ever would be. Valon did not mean much to her. Anax would stay with her indefinitely, possibly until she herself departed this world. But Schuler, from the day he came to their house to patch their roof, she knew he was special, and that he was evanescent.


    ¡°Not yet,¡± was the best she could muster. The man¡¯s disappointment weighed on her slumping shoulders. Keeping Schuler at arm¡¯s length was easy when he traveled with his troupe. Now that he was here again, it pained her more than she anticipated. Her fingers gave a hard squeeze before he withdrew his hand.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s tuck into this roast chicken before it gets cold.¡± Still with a smile on his lips, Schuler opened the basket. As they ate and passed words between them, the smile remained, but his eyes were glazed and distant. Anax, meanwhile, had snaked a tendril down Patience¡¯s back and reached around discreetly to clean her.


    ***


    ¡°These men won¡¯t leave us alone,¡± hemmed Anax.


    ¡°Well, it seems I fumbled things with Schuler,¡± Patience whined.


    The skull grunted.


    ¡°And I¡¯m doing what I can with Valon.¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t like him marking you.¡±


    ¡°If it keeps him from taking you, I will put up with it.¡±


    ¡°You enjoy him, though.¡±


    Patience sighed, ¡°My body has a mind of its own.¡± It was true. If only she had more restraint. She could not help her attraction to any of these souls.


    Patience¡¯s heart ached through the night into morning. Having disappointed Schuler again led to a troubled sleep. To compound her suffering even more, she found that onerous spot of blood on her drawers. The girl groaned and began her routine.


    After settling her business in the outhouse and washroom, thanking Anax for his duty, the girl entered the kitchen. She started a whole pot of tea and a light breakfast of eggs. Today would be devoted to thinking of a plan to obtain the skull in New Amstel.


    The girl griped, ¡°Why can¡¯t Valon come up with a plan? He¡¯s the man of action.¡±


    ¡°You are more familiar with museums, at least your father was.¡±


    ¡°I only know what he¡¯s told me. Never had I accompanied him on one of his business trips.¡±


    She paced around the parlor, eyeing the books containing the knowledge of numerous minds. It was a vain hope that some of that knowledge would effuse from the pages and creep into her own brain. The exercise did assuage her abdominal pains at the very least.


    Unfamiliar with the ways of humans and museums, Anax remained silent on the matter. He focused his attention on caring for Patience, and reading a book on the side. It was an odd sight: a girl going about the cottage with a skull on her head, a mass of mist around her, holding a book up to the right eye socket with smoking coils. But any voyeur would have grown accustomed to it as this scene played through the day and into the night.


    Feeling better the next day, Patience decided upon dumplings for lunch.


    Kneading and rolling the dough at the kitchen table relaxed the girl. It was a simple task and kept her hands busy. Flipping the wad of dough in her hand, an idea struck the girl.


    ¡°Anax!¡± she exclaimed.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°You can take on any form you want ¡­ and you seem to be able to hold those forms steady, or as you will it,¡± Patience continued.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Do you think ¡­ you could form yourself around an object, essentially making a mold, and use that muscle memory¡ªin a sense¡ªto sculpt a piece of clay?¡± gasped Patience.


    ¡°I suppose I could,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see!¡±


    Abandoning meal preparations, the girl hurried to the washroom. She unhooked a key from a nail on the wall and flew into the garden. Once past the greenhouse, her feet tread upon crab grass creeping over the stone pavers. This part of the garden had grown wild in the years since its last spate of attention. Patience stopped short of the door of her father¡¯s atelier. Her eyes traveled across the small building¡¯s facade. Moss feathered the corners, spider webs flocked the eaves, and yellow lichen painted the roof. It looked well assimilated into the garden.


    Hesitant steps led the girl to the entrance. She inserted the key, cringing at the scrape of rust reverberating through her fingers as she unlocked it. The door opened with a groan. A waft of dust and mildew awakened from dormancy greeted them in earnest. Patience coughed.


    Everything was gray on the interior. From bones to wooden forms, they were all covered with a fine layer of dust. The girl found an old rag in a drawer and wiped off the surface of the main worktable. Guilt gnawed at her stomach. She had left this place for so long. This place housed many fond memories of her working with her father. It was difficult to relive them as she looked around the space. However, it now pained her more to feel that she had decidedly abandoned those memories. She shook her head and set about her task.


    Since the windows were dimmed with dust and grime, Patience left the door open for light and to let the studio air out. Patience found the sack of clay powder in a cabinet. Her father used to sculpt most of his taxidermy forms from clay for the smaller animals. When she was a child, she would attempt to sculpt alongside him, but her clay never developed past rudimentary shapes. Feeling the texture of the powder, she was sure it was still usable despite being in storage for so long. She then ran to fetch a pail of water.


    As she mixed handfuls of water into the light gray pile of powder atop the table, her heartbeat quickened. It had been much too long since she last worked with her hands outside of domestic needs. She missed this. Patience kneaded the mixture into the wooden surface of the worktable, adding more water, more powder, approximating until it felt how it should be. A peaceful silence fell around the girl. This atelier embraced her; long had it gone bereft of an artist.


    Finally pleased with the consistency, she then stepped over to a rack on the near wall displaying a manner of animal parts. The girl picked up a cat skull that came from an incomplete and broken carcass she and her mother happened upon the road one summer day long ago. She stroked a loving thumb over the cranium and brought it to the worktable next to the lump of clay.


    ¡°We can practice with this cat skull. Recreate it with the clay,¡± said Patience.


    She sat with her hands neatly folded, eyes trained on the skull and medium. She watched Anax form a tentacle as thick as his arm and cup it over the skull. The vapor reached into every visible depression and crevice. He then lifted his appendage away and brought it to the lump of clay. Like her hand squeezing around a ball of dough, Anax gripped the mound. Additional smaller tendrils formed to check between the original and the replica, seeking precise reproduction. Slowly the shape of the cat skull took form in the gray lump.


    ¡°This is amazing,¡± Patience breathed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never made anything before. It is not in our nature,¡± Anax said as he pinched out excess clay between the cat¡¯s jaws.


    ¡°Hm, Uncle Lung always did believe the creation of art was the true indicator of a society¡¯s evolution ¡­ paintings, music, even the basest forms of such ¡­¡±


    ¡°We make gashes in trees to relay relevant information, but we never create for the sake of creating.¡± He brushed the trimmings to the side of the table.


    ¡°I believe I can sneak enough clay into the museum to make a replica and switch it for the real skull!¡±


    Their plan was taking form just as a copy of the cat skull did before them. Patience¡¯s mind began whirring like the gears in a clock.


    ¡°Skulls don¡¯t get much bigger than you, do they?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Not very much.¡±


    ¡°It will still be a lot of clay, but I think I can fit both you and the clay into my bag.¡±


    ¡°Will we use this clay and have to mix it there as well?¡±


    ¡°Hm, I¡¯m supposing this wouldn¡¯t be the right kind to fire into what we want ¡­¡± Patience pondered. ¡°I¡¯ll ask Valon to handle it. This is his expedition after all.¡±


    ¡°And how do we gain access to the specimen?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°I¡¯m fairly certain Uncle Lung is a patron of Manford if my memory serves correctly. I hope I can ask him to send a letter of introduction if being the daughter of Antander Firmin isn¡¯t enough to grant me entry to the back rooms.¡± Patience nodded. ¡°I will send him a telegram.¡±


    In a matter of minutes, a complete clay replica sat next to its twin. Anax silently marveled at his own work. Patience¡¯s eyes shone. Her worries over Schuler receded, all of that seemed trivial in the presence of these two small skulls. For this was their solution to the sword hanging over Anax¡¯s head.

 (20) The Witch Market

    The following morning, Patience hid Anax away again. So long as Valon prowled the area, she did not feel safe having Anax within his grasp in town. He could have ordered a crate of lavender cigarettes for all they knew. She then traveled into Keaton to send a telegram to Leland Unger. It took her longer than usual to make the trip with a light cramp berating her abdomen. But the matter at hand was too important to delay. Thankfully, before she left, Patience drank plenty of tea mixed with Heledd¡¯s medicine that seemed to dispel the discomfort by the time she arrived in Keaton. To round off her duties, the girl left a message for Valon at his inn to meet tomorrow morning to discuss the plan.


    Just as Patience stepped out of the Comstock Inn, she glimpsed a familiar motorbike parked across the square at the bakery. Her heart swelled and before she was aware, her feet had carried her across the store¡¯s threshold. Schuler stood in line at the register. There was a noticeable absence of Seraphina. Patience presumed she was with her fianc¨¦ planning their nuptials.


    Without any pretense, she sidled up to Schuler, emitting in a sigh, ¡°Hello, Schuler.¡±


    Surprised to see the once-reclusive girl here, Schuler spun around, sending the goggles hung around his neck swaying. ¡°Patience. Where¡¯s Anax?¡±


    ¡°At home,¡± she replied with her gaze down, ¡°I don¡¯t always have to have him with me.¡± Patience then looked into Schuler¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry again for what happened the other day.¡±


    ¡°No, I can¡¯t expect you to fall into my arms on account of our friendship.¡±


    ¡°I do care for you, Schuler ¡­ I really do,¡± Patience mumbled.


    Schuler stepped up to the register. She was unsure if he had heard her. He paid for four sweet rolls and turned away from the counter. Patience followed him outside into the beaming daylight.


    The girl swallowed and fiddled with the sleeves of her blouse. She stared up at Schuler with doleful eyes as he packed the rolls into the case strapped to his motorbike. They continued on as the man walked his vehicle away from the square. Once on a permissible street, he pulled on his goggles and mounted the seat. Only then did he peer behind his back with a grin.


    ¡°Want to go for a ride?¡± he asked.


    Relief washed over Patience. The anger had left him. She matched his smile with her own. ¡°Where to?¡±


    ¡°A witches¡¯ market set up between here and Haverston. Thought you might like to check it out before they pack up and leave in a couple weeks.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love to,¡± she chirped, jumping on the extended seat behind him.


    The engine began to sputter. Patience wrapped her arms around Schuler as he kicked off. Before the girl could fix her boot heels against the rods on the rear wheel, they had set away to a lighter destination.


    Pebbles launched and rattled into the spokes of the motorbike gliding down the road. Every bump and hitch in their path made themselves known to Patience. A recent rain must have beaten the road with prejudice. As much as the turbulence wrought her body, the girl¡¯s mind gravitated toward the man at her front.


    For now Schuler seemed to have accepted her answer. But seeing him in the brilliant sunlight struck a small chip within Patience, a chip of doubt. She questioned how satisfied she would be keeping things as they were currently. Indeed she was content at the moment; however, the future could not be spoken for. Patience felt the trim yet solid body against her chest. She felt his taut abdomen under her hands. But before Patience could make the mistake of clutching a bit tighter and feeling the shape of him, the dyed peaks of tents appeared.


    Within minutes they were upon the market. Schuler parked his motorbike as Patience leapt off, marveling at the brilliant hues of banners and canvas flapping in the wind. Three large tents dominated the market, nestled between them were stalls of various sizes. Witches mingled and traded their wares. The busiest stalls were the herbariums and apothecaries, patronized by witches and townsfolk from Keaton and Haverston alike. A few curious humans bravely browsed the occult merchandise offered along the market¡¯s periphery. It was not unlike normal markets, but aside from the difference in vendors, the very air seemed to hum with magic.


    Patience scanned the aisles, unsure where to begin perusing. Boxes of strange animal parts, glittering trinkets hanging from poles, flowering plants spilling from pots, rolls of fabric painting a full artist¡¯s palette, roasting nuggets of mystery meat dripping aromatic grease; they all beckoned her attention. She caught Schuler eyeing a stall set up with kegs and glasses for tasting.


    ¡°How about we reconvene in half an hour?¡± Patience suggested. ¡°Those sweet rolls in your pack can join us for lunch.¡± She winked.


    ¡°All right by me!¡± Schuler nodded. The two broke off to adventure independently.


    As Patience walked the stalls, a pang of guilt struck her. Anax would have loved to experience this. It was an impromptu trip, going back to retrieve Anax would have been far too much trouble. Perhaps she could bring him here before the witches upped and left. Speaking of Anax, Patience brought a hand up to her burn. It was naked for the world to see, yet the world did not notice. There was no shortage of things in the market to capture people¡¯s interests instead. The girl wore a smile and flashed it as brightly as any of the baubles spread out on the tables she passed.


    Completing one aisle, Patience came to a break between the stalls. The sunny green countryside stretched out beyond. Across the field, parked in the shade of a copse of alders, were several wagons. Nothing stood out about them aside from some intricate designs painted on their sides. What caught Patience¡¯s eye stood between the wagons and herself in the middle of the field.


    She would have thought them to be scarecrows at first glance. However, they had nothing to scare crows from. Entranced by these odd structures, Patience slowly walked toward them. As she neared, she saw that they were constructed of branches, rope, and bone, mostly skulls. Patience¡¯s eyes widened. There were skulls of many shapes and sizes. Stepping closer, she found that she could only identify half of them.


    Deeply intrigued, Patience moved closer to the largest of the three structures. She circled around it, poring over the unfamiliar craniums. She wondered if Valon could recognize any of these, having gone the world over hunting beasts and monsters. Right above Patience¡¯s head, one particular mandible stopped her in her tracks. It was dark and long with a single, pointed tooth at its end. A hand slowly crept up to the glossy tooth.


    ¡°YOU THERE!¡±


    Patience quickly retracted her arm.


    ¡°DON¡¯T YOU DARE TOUCH THAT!¡±


    She wheeled around to see a figure in black charge toward her from the caravan. His pale gold hair whipped around him in a frenzy.


    ¡°STEP AWAY FROM THE TOTEMS!¡± he yelled with an accusing finger sticking out.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I didn¡¯t know it was important!¡± Patience squeaked as she nearly fell backward.


    He snarled, rushing up to Patience, ¡°That¡¯s just like you rucks, innit? Mess stuff up, apologize later!¡±


    A mere few inches separated them. He was a young witch, but his face twisted into a mean and salted countenance of a septuagenarian. His crystal blue eyes blazed in the afternoon sun. The hot tobacco-laced breath smoking from between his teeth like dragon fire assaulted the girl¡¯s face. Patience shirked back from him, but decided against completely breaking away. He seemed likely to snap if she did not hear out his entire tirade.


    ¡°Look, I gave my apologies! I would not have stepped anywhere near here if I knew what these were and their significance.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a circle of salt around them!¡± he yelled, stepping closer. His nostrils flared. ¡°Or are you as blind as you are deformed?¡±


    Patience¡¯s face burned. She quickly peered down to see a minuscule mountain range of salt barely peeking above the thriving spring grass.


    The witch bared his teeth, snapping and spitting. ¡°You show us no respect for our culture or values!¡±


    ¡°I can if I KNEW!¡± Patience screamed back.


    ¡°I told Dorcas not to open this market to rucks!¡± His spittle pelted Patience¡¯s cheeks. He was too close. ¡°You¡¯re coming with me!¡± He gripped her shoulder.


    She saw the lightning in his eyes and flinched. And in that instant, Patience punched the witch¡¯s jaw.


    Briefly stunned, the witch stared in awe at her impudence. However, his eyes quickly darkened into a deep shade of anger. Uttering a low growl, he flew at her.


    Reacting on instinct alone, Patience flung out her knee and elbows. The witch was quick to dodge them. He stepped to her side and snatched her braid. Patience wheeled around, elbowing his gut. Kicks, grapples, and punches exchanged between them. Shouts and screeches rose into the air. Attracted by the noise, a crowd of onlookers began to amass.


    ¡°Help! Get him off me!¡± Patience yowled as he caught hold of her blouse, tugging it away from her. Fearing any possible humiliation, she sank her teeth into his arm.


    ¡°They ain¡¯t gonna help you!¡± snapped the witch, not even flinching from Patience¡¯s bite.


    Her eyes flew to the witches standing around them. Suddenly she was afraid they would pile on as well, but their faces only showed discomfort. They were not pleased by her assault, but they were not going to step in to stop this male witch either. She briefly wondered if he held some clout within the community and they were afraid to obstruct him. Of course the townsfolk would not dare to intervene. But the girl¡¯s thoughts seized to a halt when he gripped onto her scalp.


    Patience screamed. His nails dug into the tender flesh of her old burn. She fell to her knees.


    ¡°HANDS OFF HER!¡±


    Whipping her head around, Patience saw Schuler running toward her. Her heart sang out. ¡°Schuler!¡± she cried.


    Schuler dove into the witch, wrestling him to the ground. Patience felt the wind knocked out of the witch as his spit and breath sprayed her once again. Flopping away from the melee, Patience found some safety. She watched Schuler through bleary eyes as she held her searing burn.


    ¡°You were fighting a lady! Have you no honor?¡± Schuler growled, gripping the witch¡¯s arms.


    ¡°All genders are treated equally among witches. So who are the honorable ones here?¡± sneered the witch.


    Unimpressed with his pompousness, Schuler clocked his nose. In response the witch grappled his neck.


    ¡°Schuler!¡± Patience blared.


    Schuler clawed at the witch¡¯s face, thumbs hooking into his cheeks. Together they staggered in a macabre dance. Between the hair flipping around their heads, Schuler¡¯s face shone bright red. The witch¡¯s grip tightened around the musician¡¯s throat. With a great heave of strength, Schuler wrenched the witch¡¯s head to the side, leading his black-clothed body into the ground. The male witch broke his hold and stumbled. Separated the two men glared fire into each other¡¯s eyes. Patience had never seen Schuler this angry.


    The witch spat into the grass and lunged again, hurtling into the musician¡¯s gut. Schuler kicked his feet back, not wanting to tumble into the onlookers. He began beating his fists into the witch¡¯s back and sides. Whatever else happened in the scuffle, Patience did not follow. The pain flared in her scalp. She screwed her eyes shut to escape the light.


    Just beyond the crowd, an old woman atop a black stallion veered off the road. Her head swiftly cocked toward the brawl and she kicked her steed into a run. Amid a flurry of whinnies and startled shouts, the woman parted the crowd to loom over the fight. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°STOP!¡± she roared.


    Immediately the men held pause and the witch disentangled himself from Schuler. He stood to attention, brushing off the grass from his trousers. Schuler hunched, catching his breath. He rubbed his red throat.


    ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± barked the old woman. Underneath the wide brim of a plain navy blue hat, her gray eyes burned into the male witch¡¯s.


    ¡°Dorcas, this ruck girl stepped into a salt circle and nearly touched a totem!¡± the male witch hissed. Blotches of red began to flower on his face where Schuler had struck him. ¡°I intended to bring her to your wagon and await your return in order to receive proper punishment, but she resisted.¡±


    Dorcas looked over to Patience who was still curled up several feet away. From atop her horse, she appeared quite intimidating. A tight bun held her white hair firmly in place. It was so tight it seemed to pull some of her facial skin with it.


    Pursing her wrinkled lips, the elder witch asked, ¡°Is this true?¡±


    Patience nodded. ¡°I apologized to him. I¡¯m sorry if I caused any offense. I was unaware of the significance of those structures. I was only intrigued by the skeletal remains. Had I known¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough,¡± said Dorcas, raising a hand. She then dismounted, her simple dress in the same hue as her hat inflating with air. Her hat tilted forward. Coiled on the brim was the skeleton of a snake. On the ground, the elder witch barely reached the men¡¯s armpits, but her demeanor made up for any fear her height could not command. She stepped toward Patience.


    ¡°Hold out your hand, girl.¡±


    Patience swallowed and did as she was told. Dorcas administered a quick slap.


    ¡°Mind yourself next time. We don¡¯t go into your churches and touch things willy-nilly, right?¡±


    Patience nodded, rubbing her smarting palm.


    Dorcas glanced over at the salt circle, then turned to the male witch. ¡°Use more salt. Can¡¯t barely see the damned thing,¡± she scolded.


    ¡°Yes, Auntie,¡± grumbled the male witch.


    ¡°Go on! I¡¯ll have a more thorough discussion with you later.¡±


    He began pouting like a child as he shuffled over to the totem. The wide-eyed crowd moved in a singular wave, gifting him ample space.


    Finally Dorcas faced Schuler. ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°I just came to defend my friend is all,¡± he explained.


    The elder witch nodded. ¡°Good man.¡± She scanned the faces of the hushed crowd. ¡°Whatcha all gawking at? Fight¡¯s over! Get back to minding your own business!¡± Like leaves scattered in the wind, the crowd broke apart within several seconds.


    After confirming no serious injuries were present, Dorcas stood before Schuler and Patience. She stared at her dejected nephew hunched over the salt circle.


    Dorcas sighed, ¡°I apologize for my nephew¡¯s overreaction.¡±


    ¡°It was my fault. I did not need to throw the first punch,¡± sniffed Patience.


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sure he made himself to be quite the ass to deserve it. This certainly isn¡¯t his first fight,¡± huffed the crone. ¡°Please don¡¯t let this incident deter you from visiting us again. We welcome drybloods to come see and interact with our community. Well ¡­ not in this way.¡±


    ¡°If anything it made me feel young again,¡± Schuler chuckled, cracking his knuckles.


    Dorcas snorted, mirth conquering her face for a moment before she fell back into seriousness. ¡°I want to build a bridge of understanding between witches and drybloods. What¡¯s the use if we keep up walls separating our communities?¡±


    Patience and Schuler¡¯s heads bobbed in agreement.


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve held you two long enough. Be on your way. Best leave my nephew to cool off,¡± said Dorcas.


    ¡°Thank you for stepping in,¡± said Patience. Dorcas nodded to the pair and took her leave, leading her stallion to the caravan. Not wanting to linger at the scene of the fight a moment longer, the pair strolled along the perimeter of the marketplace.


    Schuler clucked, ¡°Hope your curiosity was satisfied, I don¡¯t think we can come back for a while.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I got us into that mess,¡± the girl whimpered, massaging the base of her scalp just shy of where the scars began.


    ¡°Be a bit more mindful next time, huh?¡± Schuler cocked his head forward to rub his neck.


    Patience caught glimpses of Schuler¡¯s scuffed face behind a curtain of his unruly hair flecked with bits of grass. The girl figured she must look a sight herself. She rubbed her burn with the palm of her hand. Her scalp¡¯s immediate fire had died down, but the sting in her palm continued echoing Dorcas¡¯ slap. With all the action, Patience anticipated another scalp-ache this evening. Despite the pain and soreness to come, her lips cracked into a smile.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we fought a witch!¡± she laughed.


    ¡°Not many people can claim that,¡± Schuler wheezed, patting his scraped arms. The two shook off their aches all the way to the market entrance.


    ¡°And I¡¯m sorry our time here was cut short,¡± sighed Patience.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t still enjoy it!¡± Schuler stopped at the drink stand to buy two bottles of dandelion cordial before they left.


    The girl felt a bit relieved they were able to purchase something after all the trouble. It was not a fruitless excursion. Her shoulders slumped as they passed under the banners and flags to step foot onto the dirt road once again. She watched the world of whimsy retreat behind her as they walked to Schuler¡¯s ride.


    The musician carefully packed the cordial in his bag. Patience wearily sat behind him, rubbing her aching head. Just as they were about to kick off on his motorbike, Schuler slapped the nape of his neck.


    ¡°Schuler, what¡¯s wrong?¡± asked Patience.


    The man grimaced. ¡°I think something bit me.¡± He lifted his hand away and shook his head as they lurched into motion. Patience peered at his neck. Stuck to it was a tiny black shape. Still dazed from her scalp pain, she tried to focus. It was in the form of a simple human figure, only the legs fused together into a single point. Before she could inspect any closer, the wind peeled it away.


    The odd thing remained in Patience¡¯s mind until they stopped near Keaton by a weeping willow. Patience¡¯s head swam from the fight and bright sun. She wondered if it had simply been a smashed horsefly and she was imagining the strange shape.


    ¡°Come on,¡± said Schuler, guiding her under the willow¡¯s shade with the pack in his other hand.


    Patience plopped down, back against the trunk. She sighed her relief to be out of the sun and away from other people. Settling opposite of her, Schuler opened the bottles of cordial with his jackknife and spread the sweet rolls out on a napkin in the grass.


    ¡°I never took you to be such a scrapper,¡± murmured Patience.


    ¡°What can I say? Growing up I was always scrawny¡ª¡±


    ¡°Still are,¡± the girl gibed.


    Schuler shot her a feigned look of offense before continuing, ¡°So I had to learn ways to fight that would fit me.¡± He took a roll to his mouth, tearing off nearly half of it. She watched the soft sugar glaze crack between his teeth. He smiled at her with full cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.


    ¡°If only you could have torn into that witch like you tore into that roll!¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯d be charged with murder,¡± snorted Schuler. He nodded at the napkin. ¡°There are three more. I could use a bit of help!¡± He finished his first roll and washed it down with a guzzle of his drink.


    As tempting as the sweet rolls were, Patience took a moment to breathe. She leaned into the tree, feeling the cool bark against her sun-beaten back. There was a pleasant loneliness in Schuler¡¯s company. He never spoke more than he needed. His presence alone was enough to reassure Patience that she was safe and cared for.


    ¡°Not hungry?¡± asked Schuler.


    ¡°Just enjoying the moment,¡± Patience simpered. Peering upward, she glimpsed the sun threading between the swaying willow branches. A soft melody of breezes and birdsong drifted through their verdant baldachin. The market seemed to have existed ages ago, and Keaton had disappeared altogether.


    Patience sighed, ¡°It¡¯s as though we¡¯re alone on Earth right now.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± Schuler drawled. Patience watched the knot in his throat bob as he knocked back another gulp of dandelion cordial, his hair gently falling away from his face.


    ¡°You know it¡¯s funny,¡± he began, ¡°friends aside, I enjoy my solitude.¡±


    Patience lowered her gaze to the rolls and picked one up from the napkin. ¡°Oh?¡± Solitude had dominated her life for three years. She had no interest in returning to it.


    ¡°I suppose I¡¯m used to it. What with working all my adolescence ¡­¡±


    ¡°Surely you had your brother for company,¡± said Patience, taking a bite.


    ¡°Albert and I never really shared the same interests. And then after our parents passed, he started a life of his own. Eventually he became an outfitter in the Great White North. Brought his wife and children up with him. Went straight there for the Torondek Gold Rush, but not to capitalize on gold, rather the supplies needed to get it.¡±


    ¡°Smart man,¡± mused Patience.


    ¡°He¡¯s smart and has ambition.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Like I said. I enjoy my solitude. You need a lot of people-sense to get a business rolling. I just don¡¯t have the will to interact with them.¡±


    ¡°You seem to have many friends, though.¡±


    ¡°Hm, maybe it¡¯s my demeanor,¡± Schuler hummed, ¡°There are good folks out there. I¡¯ll stand by my own any day. But I get tired if I¡¯m with more than a handful of people I don¡¯t know for a long while.¡±


    Patience nodded, fully understanding. She enjoyed company, only if they were close and could be trusted. Otherwise her insecurities overwhelmed her.


    ¡°Guess that¡¯s why I like traveling too. You meet folks, but you never stay long. And by yourself, you have all the new memories for company.¡±


    Patience¡¯s stomach curdled. She indulged in her own bottle of cordial. Having him leave again was the last thing she wanted. Perhaps she needed to present a small offering to ensure that his presence remained.


    ¡°I like spending time with you,¡± she admitted.


    Eyeing her, Schuler smirked. ¡°And I you.¡±


    Once the rolls were finished, Schuler moved next to Patience to share the backrest the willow provided. The trunk had grown askew in age, and the man slumped into a reclining position. He slid down with an overly dramatic fuss. Patience reprimanded his silliness with a light slap to his shoulder. Schuler had watched too many comedy acts, which she could understand, as he was part of a vaudeville band.


    They sat in relative silence, but the air between them was as full and complete as when they spoke. Patience¡¯s eyes drifted half-closed. A tempting thought of a nap floated in her mind. But it suddenly paused when Schuler¡¯s head fell against her arm. Bristling, Patience stiffly craned her neck to see the man¡¯s eyes fluttering shut. She thought the heat and cordial must have gone to his head. Staring out between the willow branches, she calculated they could afford a quick nap.


    Patience let her head rest on the willow trunk, feeling the breeze against her skin. It softly swept Schuler¡¯s locks over her arm. She smiled. Closing her eyes, she allowed her free hand to travel to Schuler, and gently brush his hair. Her fingers slowly ran through his tresses, until she too drifted off to sleep.


    ***


    ¡°Did you arrange to meet with Valon?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°I left him a message to meet tomorrow. I sent out the telegram to Uncle Lung as well,¡± said Patience as she chopped a couple of potatoes into halves.


    ¡°What else did you do in town?¡±


    The girl removed a piece of grass from her blouse that had avoided detection earlier. She and Schuler had napped until sunset, and he took her home in a hurry, embarrassed they had slept for so long. A memory of a smile remained on her lips.


    ¡°I ran into Schuler and he took me to a witches¡¯ market. We got into a fight with one of the witches. Then we had a picnic.¡±


    ¡°Oh, really?¡± rumbled Anax.


    ¡°Yes ¡­¡± she answered. She was surprised the skull waved off the mention of a market and fight so easily. Her hands slowly dropped to the table, setting the knife down.


    ¡°You were with him, without me?¡± he growled.


    ¡°No different than when he first came back into town and I left you off for hours.¡±


    ¡°That was my mistake,¡± seethed Anax. ¡°You¡¯re spending an awful lot of time with him ¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with that? He¡¯s my friend.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see what you¡¯re doing with him.¡±


    ¡°What are you insinuating? We don¡¯t do much, I can tell you that,¡± spat the girl.


    ¡°Valon is a transaction; but Schuler is strictly only for your pleasure! What if I want you¡ª¡± hissed Anax, ¡°ALL for myself?¡±


    Patience snapped, ¡°I am not going to apologize to you if you feel like you¡¯re receiving less attention ever since Schuler came back!¡±


    Anax snarled. ¡°Need I remind you the life you have is what I¡¯ve allowed you?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think you can lord over me!¡± Patience raised rigid fingers toward the base of the skull.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think you can¡¯t be commanded!¡± Anax roared.


    Coils wrapped around her wrists, squeezing them tightly to the brink of pain. Feeling the heat rise in her face, Patience struggled against the misty shackles. They coiled tighter. Her heart began to thunder inside her chest. She sucked in a breath.


    ¡°Anax!¡±


    He was deathly silent.


    Fire lashed around her wrists. It was strange, feeling a burn from cold fog. In spite of the pain, the girl continued to twist. She danced around the kitchen, knocking into the table and chairs. Anax held firm, moving along with each jerk, his fluidity making it impossible to escape. The girl gritted her teeth.


    With a few fighting bursts, Patience wrestled against him. She flung her body backward, her shoulder hitting the archway into the parlor. It was enough to have the skull tip upward away from her face. Anax retracted his tendrils. The knowledge that she was only free because he allowed it fell hard on her mind. The girl stood for a few moments, breathing heavily as she rubbed at the bright red marks around her wrists. Her face stung with latent tears.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t give me any reason to regret putting you back on the first time,¡± Patience whimpered.


    Anax released one long hiss. He completely disintegrated his form, remaining purely as a skull. The orb of his eye even dissipated.


    Shaken, Patience focused her attention to the continued supper preparation. She rolled her shoulders on her way back to the kitchen counter. The sorrow in her heart quickly turned to anger. Her anger translated into the violent grating of the potatoes. Wringing the shreds dry, beating eggs, throwing it with a fistful of flour into a mixing bowl: it was all quite therapeutic. Finally her rage fizzled away with the sizzling of potato pancakes in the cast iron pan.


    Words ceased to pass between her and Anax the rest of the night. Fully aware that he could sense her thoughts, Patience had no qualms toying with the idea she could give Anax up to Valon and save her a trip to New Amstel. She wanted Anax to search her brain and discover these imaginings. As harsh as the idea was, it darkly amused the girl as she ate her supper. Anax seemed to find these ominous plans, and quelled. His eye reappeared, but still he remained silent.

 (21) New Amstel

    The next day, Patience removed Anax unceremoniously and left to meet with Valon. A crick pinched her neck while a dull throb nagged her scalp. Last night Anax did not form his cushion as he normally did. Unfocused from her anger, the girl neglected to brew any tea. She would simply have to deal with her aches. Thankfully, the cool morning breeze soothed her scalp as she walked down the road.


    Once Patience entered Keaton, the anger dissipated for the day as her task came to her mind¡¯s forefront. As she had hoped, the hunter sat in the lobby of the inn. The girl let memories of her fight with Anax fall to the wayside as she prepared to discuss business. She greeted the man shyly. He stood up, returning salutations.


    ¡°Would you like to speak somewhere more private?¡± asked the man. Patience cocked her head, unsure if it was an invitation to his room for matters of flesh or for matters of confidential discussion. ¡°Your preference.¡±


    For a brief moment, Patience imagined herself in the arms of the man, an act of defiance against Anax, a flash of self-indulgence. However, she shook her head. She was hardly in the mood for intimacy today.


    ¡°Here is fine,¡± she said.


    Wordlessly Valon offered her a seat on the sofa opposite of the armchair he had claimed. Patience obliged, relaxing into the soft velvet. A steaming cup of black coffee sat on the low table in the center. Instead of resuming his place, Valon stepped to a wide credenza against the far wall.


    The inn provided coffee and tea in the lobby for guests to help themselves. The ornate sterling silver pots atop the credenza seemed too opulent for this little inn. Valon poured and delivered Patience a cup of tea, complete with a sugar lump and teaspoon on the side of the saucer. Alongside the pots lay a spread of cookies on a tray, of which the hunter picked a linzer sabl¨¦ for the girl. He neglected to treat himself to any and remained satisfied with his black coffee.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Patience, dropping the sugar into her tea. It did not take much coaxing from the teaspoon for the lump to dissolve in the hot cup. She licked the spoon before placing it on the saucer.


    ¡°All right, what¡¯s your plan?¡± Of course Valon would get right to business.


    Patience nodded. She glanced around to ensure there were no eavesdroppers. Valon must have intimidated any other people away earlier. Even the front desk was unattended with only a service bell available. She proceeded to tell him her idea. As outlandish as her words sounded, Valon¡¯s face stayed ever serious.


    ¡°Hm. That might work,¡± Valon grunted over his cup of coffee.


    ¡°I just need the clay,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°I¡¯ll find a place. I¡¯ll get you everything you need,¡± he assured.


    Patience¡¯s cheeks tingled.


    The night before she was to set off for New Amstel, Patience¡¯s head was a cauldron for a broiling stew of thoughts. She mostly worried about their plan, but a few slices of the previous days fell into the concoction. One particular piece was devoted to that thing that bit Schuler¡¯s neck. She thought back to its peculiar shape and her whole body shivered.


    A small corner of Patience¡¯s mind nagged her to send a telegram out to St. Phocas, to ask witches she trusted the nature of what she thought she saw, if she saw anything at all. But she never learned the name of Heledd¡¯s store, or her and Bing¡¯s surname.


    Patience grumbled and decided to address the telegram to Tandy Lusine. She forwent the address, assuming there was only one Tandy Lusine in St. Phocas. And as Patience would be away for an indeterminate number of days, she would have to arrange for someone to receive the witch¡¯s response.


    Anax failed to comment on her anxiety this time, even as she lay down to sleep. Perhaps it was to her advantage he was silent for once. Patience could plan without distraction. She barely missed his company with all her thinking to keep her occupied. However, she did notice the returned presence of his mist seeping over her scalp and neck. He once again cradled her head.


    The morning of their departure, Patience watered the garden and set out multiple dishes for the chickens to drink from. Even though the almanac called for rain this week, she had to be sure. She scattered enough seed to last the chickens several days and hoped they could forage the rest should she be held up in New Amstel.


    From the atelier, she took an old unused sketchbook and several pencils. The girl scanned her home once more before hefting her packed bag over her shoulder. She exited, locking the front door behind her. The monumental task loomed over the horizon, and she gazed down the road with steeled determination.


    Patience rushed to Keaton, making record time, and caught Ned Wells as he was opening the general store. Tucking Anax under her arm to be as polite as possible, she asked him to receive any telegrams on her behalf while she was away. He agreed. Patience then ran to the telegraph office to send her message to Tandy.


    As the clerk prepared to transcribe her message, it occurred to Patience that she never gave her name to the witches. She groaned. Time was quickly escaping her; she would have to meet up with Valon soon. Patience settled on calling herself ¡°skull and scalp girl¡±, hoping the identifiers were enough. She listed the return address as Ned Wells¡¯ store.


    ¡°There is no address for the recipient?¡± asked the clerk.


    ¡°I never learned one. But the Lusines are witches. The telegraph office there ought to know of them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll add ¡®witch¡¯ to the memo. Memos count toward your word total.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡±


    ¡°Addresses don¡¯t, by the way. So be sure to get that next time.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I will,¡± Patience huffed. She did not need to be lectured like a child this morning.


    ¡°And the message, miss?¡± asked the clerk.


    Patience cleared her throat. She had rehearsed this in her head all the way to Keaton. ¡°What is object? Stop. Small black paper T shape. Stop. Pointed end. Stop. Causes bug bite. Stop.¡±


    The clerk nodded and noted everything down in a ledger in neat handwriting. He presented the sheet to the girl. Patience reviewed the information twice over before she gave the clerk her approval.


    ¡°I will send this out immediately,¡± said the clerk.


    Patience paid and left. It was done. One small weight lifted from her chest. She then walked to the Comstock Inn and reapplied Anax in the lobby. She waited a few minutes before Valon emerged from a hallway, packed and ready to leave. Upon their meeting, Anax became decidedly silent.


    Valon had hired a carriage to take them into Haverston. Patience squeezed next to him on the bench behind the driver. He was so close she could not even steal any glances at him from beneath Anax¡¯s crown. Holding herself very still, she focused on the back of the driver¡¯s head. A burst of cinnamon hair peeked from his cap. She studied the fiery strands all the way to Haverston.


    The driver unloaded Patience¡¯s bag first. She grasped the handles and surveyed the street as he then handled Valon¡¯s luggage. The train station was just as busy as the day she left for St. Phocas. Between the people coming and going, she spotted a familiar face across the way.


    ¡°Schuler!¡± Patience yelled.


    The musician¡¯s head swiveled around as he stopped in his tracks. ¡°Patience! I didn¡¯t know you were in Haverston today!¡± he said once the girl rushed to him.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be leaving shortly. I have a train to catch.¡±


    Schuler peered past her shoulder to see the flash of white hair in front of the station. The two men briefly locked eyes.


    ¡°Oh ¡­ you¡¯re going off with him?¡± he said, tugging at his jacket.


    ¡°To New Amstel. For business,¡± Patience stated. ¡°We have to go to the Manford Museum of Natural History.¡±


    ¡°Well, have a good trip,¡± he said flatly.


    Patience could not help but feel a bit crestfallen. She thought they had mended things between them. Choosing to leave on a positive note, Patience turned the conversation.


    ¡°So what are your plans this week?¡±


    ¡°Celeste got engaged. The whole troupe and stage crew are holding a celebration for her on a barge out on the river,¡± said Schuler, training his attention to the side of his boot.


    ¡°Seems everyone is getting engaged these days, but that sounds like great fun!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯ll probably go late into the night ¡­ we¡¯ll drink until we can¡¯t see no more ¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t overdo yourself. Careful no one drowns,¡± Patience voiced.


    ¡°Ah, Ferguson will keep an eye on everyone. That Baptist won¡¯t touch any of the stuff.¡±


    Patience stepped toward Schuler and put a hand on his arm. ¡°Just be safe.¡±


    Schuler met her gaze with a small smile. ¡°You too.¡±


    The faintest grumble thrummed Patience¡¯s neck.


    She then hugged Schuler before running to Valon waiting at the street corner. When she looked back, Schuler had already vanished around the block. Patience sighed and came to Valon¡¯s side. They began walking to the platform. He made no mention of Schuler.


    After an hour of waiting, their train arrived. They presented their tickets and were led through a car to one with private curtained booths. Patience was shocked. She expected Valon to pay for her ticket, since this was his expedition and all.


    However, she did not expect him to spend more than economy coach. Her back rested against an upholstered bench. The cushion of the seat made her regret not indulging in a premium ticket to St. Phocas, a much longer train ride than this trip would be.


    They settled in as the train crept away from the station. Valon sat opposite the pair, holding his gaze outside the window. Patience kept her dialogue with Anax to a minimum in her continued vexation.


    Still equally irate, Anax interacted very little as well. The tension lay thick in the car. Mouths kept shut. The thunderous rolling of wheels on rails underneath, the sole sound in their booth. That was until a refreshment trolley interrupted. It tempered the atmosphere with offerings of food and drink.


    Valon smirked over a cup of coffee. ¡°You two get in an argument or something?¡±


    Patience did not dignify him with a response. Nor did Anax.


    He chuckled, ¡°Only two ways to resolve it.¡± He leaned in. ¡°You need to get physical.¡± A finger rose for each option. ¡°Either fight. Or fuck.¡±


    The girl reeled from his crass language. A brush of red formed across her cheeks.


    ¡°And I¡¯m betting you¡¯d rather the latter,¡± Valon snickered.


    ¡°How can you say such things to a woman?¡± chided Patience.


    ¡°I¡¯ve had enough experience with women to know what¡¯ll get through to them.¡±


    Patience scowled and prioritized the wrapped sandwich on her lap. Between small mouthfuls, she would catch glimpses of Valon staring out the window. As much as she suspected this entire trip to be a ploy, the girl found herself relieved for company. She felt less alone on her side of the crevasse dividing her from Anax.


    A slight jostle of Valon¡¯s arm and leg caught her attention. She could not tell if it was a bout of tremors or the rocking of the train. A part of her was always on edge in Valon¡¯s presence, never knowing when he would experience an episode. His face imparted no indication of pain, so Patience flitted her gaze to her lap. With the sandwich finished, she closed her eyes and drifted in and out of sleep over the next few hours.


    The train sped along the coast, the ocean in the far distance. As they came upon the metropolis of New Amstel, huge ships amassed on the water, their smokestacks spitting out dark plumes into the peach sky. Anax stared with a vested interest.


    This was the farthest north Patience had ever been. Her father had come here plenty of times, contributing his talent to the natural history museum¡¯s large collection. But he never took Patience along despite her childhood requests. As the city came into clearer view, Patience imagined herself losing her father in the titanic maze of buildings and streets. She could see why he had preferred not to travel with a small child here.


    Patience pressed against the window in her own growing anticipation. The sky darkened, putting the sun to sleep. Electric lights began to illuminate the city. A million bulbs extended the waking hours of their domain. When the train slowed and entered the station, the windows shone as bright as they had that morning when they departed.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The station was running at full capacity this evening as a number of trains had arrived. Both Patience and Anax gazed in awe at the sheer number of bodies swarming the platforms as they stepped out of the car. If the crowd did not make them feel insignificant enough, there was the station itself.


    The pair felt minuscule under the weight of the intricate iron girders buttressing a vast roof over the platforms. Once they entered the grand terminal, they completely froze while marveling at the enormous glass oculus centered in the incredibly tall ceiling of the massive building.


    ¡°Be careful of pickpockets,¡± Valon warned.


    While navigating through the throng, a rather dirty character bumped into Patience from behind. But all she heard from him was a yelp of pain. The man melted into the crowd as quickly as he appeared.


    ¡°Got one,¡± snickered Anax.


    Patience rolled her eyes before checking the status of her belongings. Everything was still in place.


    Valon hired a carriage to take them to their hotel. Enrapt by the sights they passed, Patience nearly forgot her company altogether. Towering buildings crawled past them, people moving in masses along their bases. Storefronts and illuminated vignettes of busy dining rooms scrolled across their vision in a tangible picture show. The facades they passed became more prim and tidy as they traversed block after block.


    Patience lurched forward when the carriage came to an abrupt stop. The traffic on the street was hectic, full of vehicles and people. She assumed they were close to a city hub. Valon motioned for them to get off, for the hotel was within sight. Patience followed the man to the warm welcome of the monolith of stone and glass.


    Inside, chandeliers bathed the lobby in gold light, their reflections crisp in the polished marble floor. Bellhops shuttled racks of luggage at the heels of finely-clothed guests. Patience gripped her bag and shrank into her jacket, feeling underdressed. She was stunned Valon did not book a cheaper place.


    He led them to the front desk, a hefty walnut ship atop a white sea veined with charcoal. The girl stared at the inlaid patterns of other kinds of stone forming a cold, hard rug below their feet. Behind the desk clerks was an elegant mural depicting a lush garden in mosaics. Patience and Anax attempted to drink in every detail of the opulent lobby while waiting for Valon.


    ¡°Here we are, Mr. Dibra,¡± said the clerk, sliding keys onto the desk¡¯s green granite top.


    Patience studied the paper tags tied to their hotel keys. ¡°Our rooms are next to each other?¡± she gulped.


    ¡°What of it?¡± grumbled Valon, turning to leave the desk. Patience was not paying for the trip so she figured she had little to complain about. Sleeping this close to the enemy might work in her favor. Valon would only be steps away, close enough for her to monitor his activity should there be reason to suspect any perfidy.


    ¡°Am I to remain on you through this whole trip?¡± Anax whispered.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stow you in my bag when we go to the museum and potter¡¯s,¡± Patience said coldly.


    ¡°Quit mumbling and let¡¯s get to the rooms,¡± Valon barked, hefting his bag across his back. Patience swallowed and fell into stride behind the man.


    They rode in an elevator up to their floor. Patience and Anax both marveled at the contraption. Their caged transport rattled upward, leaving Patience¡¯s stomach on the ground. She shuddered at the feeling. The girl silently thanked divine forces when they stopped and she was able to step onto the immovable painted floor on their level.


    Down the hall, they reached their rooms. Valon unlocked his first. Sitting on his bed were two brown packages. He incuriously regarded them and Patience surmised this was a delivery he was expecting.


    Patience then entered her own space. It was certainly the nicest room in which she had ever stayed. Electric lights illuminated the hazel wallpaper and made the brassy fixtures and polished wood furniture shine. A fluffy feather bed commanded the center. Patience flung herself upon its downy quilt, her eyes instantly felt sullen, ready for sleep.


    ¡°Here.¡±


    Patience stiffened, realizing she had forgotten to close the door behind her. In the doorway was Valon. Her face burned, embarrassed to have reveled in something as mundane as a nice bed.


    ¡°What do you want, Valon?¡± Patience asked, hurriedly sitting upright.


    ¡°This is for tomorrow,¡± said the man as he extended a block in his hand.


    It was clay. This must have been the package he received. Patience had thought they would go out in the morning and visit a supplier to procure it. Impressed with his initiative, she walked over to take it into her care.


    ¡°Not too heavy is it?¡±


    It was a considerable weight. Valon had held it up single-handedly with no trouble at all. Unable to match his show of strength, Patience¡¯s arm wavered slightly as she carried it to the side table. It would fit in her bag along with Anax, but she dreaded the burden her shoulder would suffer the next day.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be able to manage,¡± she croaked.


    ¡°And this,¡± he said, lifting up his other arm.


    Gripped in his fist was a sack. Patience took it, peering inside. It was full of wood shavings and sawdust.


    ¡°To pack the replica.¡±


    He really had thought of everything ahead of time. The girl set the sack next to her nightstand, a little disappointed she would have to pour that into her clean carpetbag.


    ¡°Hungry?¡± asked Valon.


    Hours had passed since the sandwich on the train and suddenly Patience sensed her empty stomach. ¡°Are you inviting me to supper?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t have to be anything fancy. Want to eat or not?¡±


    ¡°Very well,¡± she said. New Amstel had streets aplenty for them to explore, enough to command Anax¡¯s attention the entire trip. Patience hoped it would sufficiently distract him. She cared for him. She truly had. But ever since their dispute, a divide had come between them. Options sat by a scale, waiting to be weighed. Patience needed time to think, and silence was a good conductor of thought.


    Glimmering lights garnished the city blocks, painting a pleasant veneer over Patience¡¯s muddled situation. The city sights kept Anax occupied. Valon¡¯s presence kept Anax behaved. However, a relationship could not be built upon bribes or threats. Patience could not travel the world to keep the skull entertained. She could not have a threat continuously loom to keep the skull in line.


    Anax had said he enjoyed her company. He enjoyed her. She was his pet. Patience wondered if he would be less jealous had he a weaker affinity for her. Then again, the possessive qualities might be symptoms of the culture surrounding life-donors.


    The weight of all these thoughts bore down heavily. The girl hung her head between sagging shoulders. She still cared for the skull. But she knew she had to draw a line somewhere, lest she become a true host without a will of her own anymore.


    Valon had to repeat himself on a few occasions during their outing before Patience could respond to his queries. They eventually settled into a pub where Valon ordered a lobster, and her a baked crab pottage. Supper passed by silently, the girl mentally absent. She was aware enough to enjoy her food, however.


    The way back to the hotel was uneventful. It was for the best that Valon was spared any episodes. They returned to their floor quietly. At his door, the hunter watched Patience unlock hers.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wake you in the morning,¡± he said.


    ¡°Thank you. And thank you for dinner. Have a good night,¡± she murmured without looking up. The clacking of a lock announced that Valon had already entered his room.


    Distracting herself, Patience indulged in a bath. Alas, she was interrupted by two chattering women who paid little attention to Patience¡¯s clothes folded on the shelf outside the bath chamber. Although visibly shaken from seeing a skull bobbing above the water, their need to gossip prevailed. They subjected Patience to their loud prattling by the sinks, echoed by the tiled room.


    But even after the pair left the bathroom, a string of other guests would come and go, using the sinks and water closets, bemoaning the occupied tub. It was not until Patience was sufficiently clean that the bathroom was hers alone. At the very least, she could brush her teeth in peace.


    That night Patience tossed and turned in bed. No matter what she did, sleep evaded her. Even though the bed felt wonderful, her body resisted. Anax was quiet. His refusal to comment spurred on her tumultuous mind. She was now craving any spur of the moment input to cut the silence. Her throat flexed to utter Anax¡¯s name, but she let out a breath instead. She would not bend. She would not be the one to cede first. The girl faced the wall between her and Valon¡¯s room. She inhaled and slipped Anax from her head.


    Assuring Anax¡¯s secure storage behind the vent grate, Patience ran her fingers along the brass before she left. Soft footsteps took care to avoid triggering creaks from the floorboards. The girl held her breath as she knocked on the door. A shuffle of feet sounded, followed by a click. The door opened to reveal Valon shirtless, and with a less than pleased expression on his face.


    ¡°I-I can¡¯t sleep,¡± Patience uttered, skirting his gaze.


    ¡°What do you want from me to help that?¡± grunted Valon.


    She shrugged.


    Seconds passed before Valon heaved a sigh and flicked his head over his shoulder. He held the door open for the girl as she timidly walked into his room. The soft lamplight disclosed a table and two chairs nestled in the corner. By the window was a plush armchair on which Valon hung his long coat.


    ¡°Well?¡± The man casually reclined onto his bed. He leaned his back against a stack of pillows and rested an arm on his raised right knee. The left leg fell away from his center, pulling his pajama pants taut over his groin.


    Not having moved since the door closed behind them, Patience stood shyly by the dresser next to the egress. ¡°I want to know this isn¡¯t an elaborate plan to take Anax,¡± Patience expressed. She flicked her eyes up to meet him.


    Valon leaned ever so slightly forward, wide pupils set inside cold rings. ¡°This museum specimen exists. You have my word as a hunter and as a gentleman.¡±


    The moment hung in the air. The seriousness cut thick in Valon¡¯s words. He meant what he said. Despite that, Patience failed to stifle a snicker and a soft sound of cracking ice broke over the girl¡¯s palate.


    Valon¡¯s face soured. ¡°You mock me?¡±


    Patience suppressed a smile. ¡°It¡¯s just,¡± she squeaked, ¡°you think yourself a gentleman?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m no white knight, but chivalry is not entirely foreign to me,¡± Valon snorted.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve extended that chivalry to many women in the past.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes,¡± he said with a sniff, ¡°and a few men as well.¡±


    His admission caught Patience off guard, but she refused to fluster. She held pause for a few moments before mustering her courage to ask, ¡°Do you enjoy bedding me?¡±


    The hunter scoffed. He relaxed into the bed, crossing his arms. ¡°I¡¯ve had you more than once, haven¡¯t I?¡±


    Patience ducked her head and scratched her arm. Her eyes dared not meet Valon¡¯s as they firmly trained on the rug by the bed. A heat rose in her face.


    ¡°A chat can¡¯t be the only reason for you to visit me so late at night,¡± he said coyly. Shifting his legs, the man revealed an outline of his hardening length. Steel eyes caught Patience sneaking a look. His trap was inescapable.


    Her heart thumped harder than it had since the moment Valon opened his door. She knew she could not resist the lust foaming within. Her trysts with this man were the sweetest of indulgences. There was always a note of danger, and coupled with his ferocity, it made the fruit all the more tempting and satisfying when savored.


    Patience slowly climbed onto the bed, kneeling beside his supine body. He placed a rough hand above her knee and slid up her nightgown. With his other hand, he pulled down her drawers. ¡°Show me what you want,¡± he demanded.


    Patience reached her hand down her mound and spread her bottom lips with two fingers. Valon smirked upon sight of her swollen folds. Freeing herself of her underwear and nightgown, she came to rest beside the man, head upon his chest.


    Her hand traveled over his hard stomach to arrive at the bulge in his pants. Winding her fingers underneath the cloth, she grasped his turgid length. The tip of his cock pulsed and flared in her grip.


    Valon groaned, bringing an arm around Patience to clutch her backside. He scooped her on top of him. ¡°Go on, get what you desire.¡±


    Steady hands slipped the pants and underwear from the man¡¯s waist. Patience pulled them all the way off his feet as she slinked down his body. His clothes fell atop hers in a heap at the foot of the bed.


    Slowly she slid her way back up, stopping briefly to plant a wet kiss on the tip of his cock. It responded in kind with a twitch. Valon grabbed Patience¡¯s waist to bring her before him, her legs spread wide to straddle his torso.


    With slow, deliberate movements, Valon¡¯s fingers opened her gap and entered. He pressed his thumb to her clit, forcing Patience to crunch forward with a moan. The man began to work his fingers, twirling his thumb on the outside in tandem.


    She panted, whipping her head forward. A strand of wet dripped onto his front. Losing her strength to kneel over him, Patience eased to sit on his stomach. Valon withdrew his hand and smeared her fluids down his length.


    Still lost in the ghostly sensations of his fingers, Patience ground into Valon¡¯s abdomen. Standing pert between her cheeks was the man¡¯s cock. She teased it as she stretched against him, like a cat after waking from a nap, raising her backside into the air. The head grazed her slit and sent a pronounced tingling through her pelvis, heightened by the slick of her juices. She bit her lip to stifle a moan.


    Demurely meeting his eyes, Patience lowered herself atop Valon¡¯s cock. The tip nudged her entrance. She issued a few testing bounces, half expecting the man to grip her waist and slam her down over his length. But Valon remained relatively still. She gave him an inquiring look.


    ¡°I said get what you desire,¡± he stated, unblinking.


    In a dangerous breach of conduct, Patience huffed and rolled her eyes. Before she realized what she had done, she felt Valon¡¯s body tense underneath her. A hand shot to her jaw, bringing her to face his ferocious gaze.


    ¡°Do I need to show you what you want?¡± he growled.


    Unsure of what else to do, Patience lunged in to envelop his mouth in hers. Breathy moans escaped her lips as he took control. His tongue spread its dominion inside. His hands crept down to bat his cock against her gap before breaching her chamber. The force sent a groan out of Patience¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°This is what you came for, right? Can¡¯t sleep without getting filled, huh?¡± Valon grunted over his vigorous thrusts.


    All Patience could manage in reply were eager nods, any utterances got lost in needy mewls. The heady sensation of his cock sliding between her walls solely commanded her attention. She sat upon his pelvis, rocking into his stiff heat. She barely noticed when the hunter began slapping at her shoulders to usher her off of him.


    Alarmed, Patience reeled back to see the onset of a barrage of tremors. Valon arched into the stack of pillows, his neck stiff and rigid. He gritted his teeth as his limbs seized and shook. The bedding crumpled under his quaking form. In a rush of emotion, Patience threw herself on Valon. She hugged him tightly against the bed until the episode passed.


    Heavy, tired breaths left his mouth as the man¡¯s body finally relaxed. Patience settled beside him, gingerly stroking his arm experiencing its last shudders. She watched his fluttering eyelids. The bob of the knot in his throat reaching his snow-white scruff before fleeing again as he swallowed. His sculpted chest rising and falling. They lay there in silence for a sacred few minutes.


    ¡°Do you pity me?¡± croaked Valon, gaze fixed on the ceiling.


    ¡°I¡ª¡± stuttered Patience, ¡°I do feel sorry about your condition.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you give yourself to me?¡±


    ¡°Well¡ªI said I did want to help you in any way I can. If letting you have my body counts, then I¡¯ll allow it.¡±


    Valon ground his teeth.


    ¡°But I am genuinely attracted to you,¡± Patience affirmed. ¡°Even in your current state, I cannot deny my lust.¡±


    The man rolled his head over to lock eyes with her. The grim frown he wore mellowed into a tight, thin line. ¡°I appreciate your honesty.¡±


    ¡°And me? Do you pity me? Disfigured and wrangled into the claws of a beast,¡± whispered Patience.


    ¡°No,¡± he answered, ¡°I like your mettle.¡± His thick fingers wrapped around her wrist. ¡°And you feel quite nice.¡±


    A blush spread over Patience¡¯s nose. She leaned in to kiss him. To her surprise, he did not refuse her.


    He brought his arm around to pull her atop him once more. ¡°Now where were we?¡±


    She breathed, ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°You tell me,¡± he rumbled.


    Patience was amazed to find the man stiff as though the past several minutes had never occurred. A hunger flared in his eyes. He would have it sated one way or another. He shoved into her and continued where they had left.


    By now it was quite late into the evening, but Patience had lost all track of time. The one thing that mattered at the moment was the rising heat inside her matched only by Valon¡¯s energy. Patience writhed against the hunter¡¯s solid body, rubbing into his pelvis. She pressed her head against his chest, the snowy hair brushing her cheek.


    Hands firmly held her ass in place as he thrust into her hole with abandon, propelling her toward the point of no return. Patience rode into his waist until her loins could handle no more and released. She moaned with her mouth over his nipple as she pushed every last ounce of heat out of her sex.


    Satisfied with her reaction, Valon reached a hand behind her head and grasped her braid. He twisted Patience around onto her back so that he loomed over her jerking body. Valon then sheathed his length up to the hilt. Wedged between her walls going through their final contractions, his cock pumped. He growled as he spilled his seed into her cavity, relishing in the added lubrication with fading thrusts. They lingered a while until they both beat their last pulse.


    ¡°Had your fill? Got what you needed?¡±


    Patience wearily nodded. He gently lifted away to rest by her side. Their eyes did not meet, but they lay together on their backs. For a few moments, they bathed in the euphoria that eventually ebbed away.


    Valon rose to wipe himself clean at the washstand. Patience followed him out of bed, pausing to feel their combined juices slide down her thigh. She bent over to pick up her clothes. Valon snuck a quick slap of her ass.


    ¡°Now off to bed with you,¡± he sniffed.


    Patience sent him a smirk just as her head popped through her nightgown¡¯s neck-hole. She sauntered over to the door and left. A yawn escaped her, but the night was not over as she still needed Anax to clean her of Valon¡¯s seed.


    Only grumbles bubbled around her ears as the skull met his task. A small part of Patience wished he berated her instead. The apathetic silence crushed her the most. She returned to her own bed feeling like nothing at all.

 (22) The Museum

    Valon sharply rapped on her door the next morning. Patience was dressed and waiting. The anticipation of the day had kept her sleep short. Aside from perfunctory greetings, no words passed between her and Valon. Last night stood solely as a memory.


    Patience¡¯s nerves hummed with the heartbeat of the city. All around her, people carried about their business, each enrapt in their own stories. She wondered how many like her were about to embark on a series of events on which their future hung. She peered at Valon from under Anax¡¯s crown. His future depended on the next several hours even more.


    There was some time before the museum opened, so they stopped at a kiosk selling coffee and pastries by a park. It was just what Patience needed to calm her nerves. Valon seemed to enjoy his coffee and scone. She could not guess if he was as anxious as herself. He hid his emotions so well, as always. For now Patience focused on the hot almond croissant in her hand.


    Across the park, a clock tower struck ten. Valon lifted his head and nudged Patience¡¯s arm, indicating that it was time. They strode over the dew-laden grass, making a beeline toward museum row. Few words were uttered as they neared their destination. Patience gnawed her lip. She could not help but worry that their scheme might be too simple.


    They had no discussion of any contingency plans. Patience would not know what to do if any step of their operation fell out from under her. She would have to improvise. In the back of her mind, she understood exactly what would happen should they fail to get the new skull. Valon would surely seize Anax. At this point, she knew not whether that would deeply hurt her at all anymore.


    Museum row was home to all of the city¡¯s largest institutions and their collections. This was the epicenter of culture for the entire state; many of the nation¡¯s proudest pieces had homes here as well. They passed by the colossal museums of art and history, and the fortress that was the library. They stood as monuments to the achievements of mankind, both in glory and, to a lesser extent, in darkness.


    ¡°Humans really are something else,¡± Anax awed.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to put you in my bag,¡± said Patience as she turned off the walkway. Valon stood by her side, glowering at people passing by who gave a second look.


    Anax quietly surrendered. Placing the skull over the clay block and sawdust, the girl made sure her bag did not appear too bulky and suspicious. She also rearranged the sketchbook inside for good measure before buckling the bag shut. Ready, Patience and Valon continued on their way.


    An iron fence led them to the stone staircase of the lofty Manford Museum of Natural History. The top of the stairs boasted a sweeping view of the street. Huge columns rose above, holding the substantial roof over a collection born from millions of years of evolution.


    Before they passed through the brassy front doors, Patience glanced upward. She discovered a lush mural of exotic flowers and birds painted on the soffit, the artwork a preview of the vast amount of treasures the building held.


    ¡°The cheating sod said it was in a drawer of unclassified bones in one of the collection rooms.¡±


    ¡°Which room?¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t remember.¡±


    Patience¡¯s heart jumped up her throat. He just had to tell her this at the very last minute. Her brain began whirring, a machine forced into overdrive.


    The echoes of boot heels clicking on the smooth stone tiles announced the pair¡¯s arrival in the museum. Patience swiveled her head to take in the stately building. At the center was an enormous skeleton of an ancient reptile, its giant head looming over the awed girl.


    Ivory walls rose around them, brandishing fossils and mounted game heads like medals on a general¡¯s breast. For a brief moment, she was transfixed, forgetting her purpose for being here, until Valon clapped her shoulder.


    There were few visitors at this hour during the middle of the week. Each cavernous hall branching from the main salon currently only accommodated the exhibits and a smattering of staff. Patience swallowed. There would be no chance of melting into the anonymity of a crowd. She had to rely solely on her efficient packing skills to avoid detection. The pair stepped toward the reception desk where Valon got the attention of one of the clerks.


    ¡°How may I help you?¡±


    ¡°Good morning. My name is Patience Firmin. I believe Leland Unger, one of Manford¡¯s long-time patrons, sent a letter of introduction.¡±


    The clerk sifted through a stack of memos on her desk before pulling out a single sheet. Her eyes lit up behind the spectacles perched on her nose. ¡°Ah yes! That is correct. We received a telegram from him yesterday. Oh, you¡¯re the daughter of Mr. Antander Firmin? He mounted a few of our specimens here!¡± She then extended a slim hand. ¡°On behalf of the museum, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±


    Patience returned a smile and took the hand in hers, giving it a hearty shake.


    ¡°What can I do for you, Ms. Firmin?¡±


    The girl shifted the bag in her hand, the weight of the clay pulling on her shoulder. She cleared her throat. ¡°I¡¯ve taken an interest in drawing. I was hoping to sketch some of your specimens held in storage. Particularly any of your osteological artifacts.¡± Teeth flashed through a forced grin.


    The clerk tapped her chin with a delicate finger. ¡°Normally we don¡¯t allow civilians into our back rooms ¡­¡±


    Patience¡¯s face dipped.


    ¡°But Mr. Unger spoke so highly of you,¡± continued the clerk. ¡°I suppose we can ignore our policy just this once. Let me ask our collections curator.¡± The clerk turned to a telephone mounted to the wall behind her.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Patience. Twisting away from the clerk, she darted her gaze over to Valon and saw that he had gone ahead to enter one of the exhibit halls. A wave of panic broke over her face. She did not want to be left alone at the desk.


    ¡°All right, Ms. Firmin,¡± chirped the clerk, ¡°you have the curator¡¯s permission!¡±


    Patience¡¯s lips stretched into a relieved smile. One step accomplished.


    ¡°I¡¯ll escort you to Room B,¡± said the clerk as she rose from her chair.


    ¡°Is that where all of your skeletal remains are held?¡±


    ¡°Most of them.¡± She strolled to the other side of the desk, meeting Patience at eye level.


    ¡°Even the unclassified ones?¡±


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d prefer identified specimens.¡±


    Patience¡¯ body froze. All the energy shot up to her brain to kick it into high gear. ¡°Oh ¡­ I wanted to focus on the shapes of the bones. If I knew what animal they belonged to, that might influence the way I draw them.¡±


    The clerk paused a moment, one of her eyebrows raised.


    Patience swore all the sweat released from her body at once.


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll take you to Room C,¡± she said. The clerk pivoted and led the girl toward one of the halls directly behind the centerpiece skeleton. She muttered ahead of Patience, ¡°I¡¯ll never understand the way artists think.¡±


    A single disinterested security guard lingered in front of the hall Patience and the clerk entered. Past him were small reading nooks carved between tall shelves filled with books. Several mounted animals stood around the hall: a polar bear, a tiger, a kudu, just a few of the impressive sentinels overlooking the girl in stoic silence. Patience admired each of the specimens they passed, wondering if any were her father¡¯s work.


    At the end of the hall was a staircase leading to the basement level. The clerk moved a rope stanchion aside for Patience. Down the steps they went. The basement was much more sterile with only framed illustrations lining the hall and was meant solely for working staff members. They passed a few avian lithographs before the clerk stopped at a nondescript door. She took a key from her jacket pocket and granted entry to the girl.


    Patience¡¯s eyes sparkled as she stepped inside. Cabinets and drawers covered the walls from floor to ceiling. On the near wall was a glass case displaying rows of various bird skulls. A large worktable occupied the center of the room, a stack of books on one side, a mounted skeleton of some bird of prey on the other.


    The girl sighed. She missed her hobby. But she simply did not have the motivation or inspiration ever since her father passed. They had always completed their projects side by side. He would take the hides. She would take the bones within them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll return in an hour to fetch you. Just put things back where you found them.¡± The clerk adjusted her glasses and flashed Patience a small smile before shutting the door behind her.


    Once certain the clerk was far from the room, Patience enacted the next stage in her plan. Taking care not to let any of the sawdust sprinkle on the floor, Patience pulled Anax out of her stuffed bag. He roused once placed on her head. The girl scattered her pencils and sketchbook on the worktable, tearing out a few pages to lay on the surface so as to keep it clean. The wrapped clay landed with a thump atop the paper.


    Adequately situated, Patience and Anax then began searching for the new skull. They found the cabinets holding the ossiferous remains. The girl pulled out drawers one by one, the skull scanning over them with his tendrils. Scattered inside were skeletal parts of all sorts: partial craniums, digits, femurs, fractured pelvises. Some of the smaller, more delicate forms had their own open carton boxes bedded with cotton.


    His tendrils traced over them all, wondering about the animals they once gave shape. But he had no liberty to wonder for long, they had a task to accomplish. In the fourth drawer down of a cabinet on the far wall, his tendrils halted over a familiar form. The tip of a splayed tooth peeked out. Patience pulled the drawer open as far as it could, letting the dark shape fully emerge.


    ¡°This is it!¡± breathed Patience, feeling fortune smile down upon them.


    Anax¡¯s tendrils froze in place. His orb held steady over her eye. Wasting no time, Patience lifted the specimen out of the drawer with her own hands into the light. There was the skull: slim in profile, a smooth, continuous curve from the forehead to the snout, sans mandible, smaller than Anax. Still, it was large enough to fit Patience like a mask. A paper identification tag, mostly unfilled, had been tied to the skull, the twine lashed through the eye socket. The two marveled at the skull before bringing it to the worktable.


    ¡°It feels like it¡¯s been forever since I¡¯ve seen another ¡­¡± breathed Anax.


    ¡°Hopefully we¡¯ll meet them soon,¡± Patience said, unwrapping the block of clay. Given the size and incompleteness of the specimen, there was more than enough to create a replica. Immediately Anax began to work. He extended multiple tendrils to carve and shape the new form while checking it against the original. Patience measured her breaths. She watched, fixated.


    ¡°Remember to make the replica slightly larger than the original. It will shrink a bit in the kiln.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± said Anax.


    Patience did not mean to nag him, but her heart was drumming from the moment they stepped foot in the museum. There was little room for mistakes. Her eyes kept flashing to the door, expecting the clerk or some other staff member to open it any minute. To distract her mind and maintain some semblance of truth, Patience gripped a pencil in her hand and began to sketch.


    She outlined the curves of a generic femur from memory. The graphite gently scratched against the pale paper. Above her sketchbook, Anax continued his work. It surprised her to see how far along the replica was. In front of them was the crude form of a skull, merely needing a bit of refinement and finishing details to capture a true resemblance.


    Patience then turned her attention to the skeleton on the table. It looked to be a species of hawk. Her fingers guided her pencil to form the lines of its ribs. While her eyes and hands were occupied, the girl¡¯s mind wandered to the yaszaha skull.


    She pondered how a taxonomist would even go about its classification. It would be an entirely new order or class, she imagined. But with only a partial skull, they could very well write it off as a mutation or hoax. They would need additional, complete specimens. As it was now, it was essentially useless. It could not possibly be used as a syntype specimen. Patience hoped that this singular artifact was inconsequential enough that even if its replica was discovered to be clay, it would not raise any suspicion over her time here.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m done,¡± said Anax. The girl startled in her seat. Before them were two forms, nearly identical in shape.


    ¡°Hm ¡­¡± Patience pondered. She hefted the skull and clay replica in either hand. ¡°I know the replica will fire lighter, but I¡¯m unsure if it will be light enough. Do you think you can make it hollow? Without compromising its structural integrity?¡±


    Wordlessly Anax began to comply. Thin tendrils spiraled into miniature augers and drilled into the form, extracting the inner clay. The entire task took all of thirty minutes.


    ¡°Leave a couple of holes for the air to escape while firing,¡± Patience instructed. She remembered hearing a story of her father once sculpting a clay bird for her mother, but he had forgotten to poke an air hole and it had exploded in his friend¡¯s kiln. On the underside, Anax left two nail-sized holes, irregularly shaped to seem more of a natural occurrence.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    The girl breathed a sigh of relief. Had the skull retained its bottom jaws, the project would have been more complex. She thanked divine forces the first stage in the plan was complete. They returned the real skull to its cabinet of origin, tucking it far in the back of the drawer.


    ¡°Please stay right here. We¡¯ll be back for you!¡± Patience whispered. She stood up. ¡°Thank you, Anax.¡± With that she lifted him away from her scalp.


    Placing the remaining clay in first, the girl then packed Anax¡¯s skull upside down. Half of the sawdust and wood shavings went into the cavern of his skull. She then placed the replica into this nest, generously cushioning its sides with shavings in the hopes the fragile form would not lose shape or get damaged as they traveled to the kiln.


    Its integrity ensured, she closed her bag shut and lifted it off the table. Patience silently thanked Anax¡¯s light weight. Without any space left in the bag, she decided to carry her sketchbook. For the final task, Patience rolled two of her pencils under a cabinet next to the table.


    The clerk came promptly once the hour was over, a few minutes after the pencils disappeared. The two exchanged smiles as she held the door open for Patience to exit. As they neared the staircase, the clerk abruptly reversed to the girl.


    ¡°How did your session go? May I see, please? I love when artists appreciate our collection,¡± the clerk simpered.


    Patience bristled. ¡°Oh! You know I was not feeling inspired. Well, the collection was certainly magnificent, but I just could not get the fine details of anything right,¡± she lied. ¡°It¡¯s so frustrating ¡­ I only kept a couple of my drawings and scrapped all the rest.¡± The girl opened her sketchbook to the page featuring the femur.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a very nice femur for what it¡¯s worth,¡± said the clerk, adjusting her glasses. That seemed to have placated the clerk as she swerved back on course. Patience thought her heart finally beat again once the skeleton of the ancient reptile came into sight.


    ¡°Thank you for accommodating me,¡± said Patience.


    The clerk settled back in behind the reception desk. ¡°It¡¯s our pleasure. Please let us know if we can do anything else for you, Ms. Firmin.¡±


    Patience waved her farewell and broke away from the desk. Freed from the clerk¡¯s grasp, Patience exhaled through her nose. By the entrance, resting on a leather bench, Valon sat with his arms crossed. A ghost of a tremor haunted his hand. He must have had another episode. Patience barely flicked her head at him. He stood and exited the building. The two reconvened outside at the bottom of the steps.


    ¡°Did it go as planned?¡± asked the man.


    Patience nodded, patting the bag under her arm. She gestured for them to walk down the street. Her whole body seemed to uncoil in relief when they finally left the shadow of the museum. She took a few deep breaths, celebrating the completion of the first item on their agenda. Feeling somewhat normal again for now, the girl smiled.


    She leaned up toward Valon¡¯s ear. ¡°I¡¯ve also planted my pencils to give me an excuse to return to the room.¡±


    ¡°Good job. Let¡¯s be on our way.¡±


    Valon grabbed the bag from Patience. He most likely trusted only his own hands to see the delicate replica to the potter. Patience took no offense. She was relieved to let her arms recover. As he led her across the street, she rubbed her shoulders.


    ¡°So who is this potter we¡¯re going to?¡± Patience asked.


    ¡°I did a bit of research as we prepared for the trip. Breheny and Sons. Small scale stoneware producer. Works on finer artisan lines. They ought to be able to accomplish the job.¡± They waited for a carriage to pass before crossing to another block. ¡°I even got you their recommended mix.¡±


    Patience stared at her bag in Valon¡¯s grip, thinking of the clay skull nestled in layers of sawdust. She had not questioned Valon when he presented the clay to her upon arrival at the hotel. Come to think of it, Anax did feel like a well-crafted stoneware sculpture.


    Turning a few more corners, brick warehouses began to rise around them. Perched atop many of the pitched roofs were black chimney pipes. Smokestacks ascended several blocks further away.


    Valon was clearly on edge. He continued to flex his fists, waiting for the skull to finally be in his grasp. Soon the quarry would be his. But not soon enough.


    They fell under a large wooden plaque bearing the master potter¡¯s name. A worn wooden door gave egress to a reception area. Samples of Breheny and Sons¡¯ work lined the display cases around the room, everything from fine porcelain to sturdy stoneware. Slabs of tile rested against the main counter, showcasing various glazing techniques. Patience sat down on a bench opposite the counter. Valon stood, ringing the service bell.


    A ruddy man with soot on his cheeks entered from a side door to greet them. Before the side door shut, Patience caught a glimpse of the cavernous warehouse on the other side.


    ¡°Good day, name¡¯s Bogart. How may I help you?¡± huffed the man, clearly annoyed by the disruption to his usual work.


    ¡°I called some days ago about your recommended clays. Well, we now have something for you to fire.¡± Valon brought out the replica, a snowfall of wood shavings drifted from the bag. He brushed away bits of sawdust clinging to the clay surface. The ruddy man grimaced at the small mess accumulating on the floor.


    ¡°All right,¡± grunted Bogart as he eyed the copy. ¡°I¡¯m assuming you want us to glaze it too?¡±


    ¡°Do you have a sample of your glazes?¡± asked Patience.


    Bogart stepped behind the counter and produced two cases. He opened them to reveal a library of small tiles glazed in a rainbow of colors. Patience stood from the bench to examine the samples. They were beautiful indeed, but none matched the tones and luster of the yaszaha skull.


    ¡°Is there any possibility a texture and color like this could be replicated?¡± she ventured as she reached into her bag at Valon¡¯s side to produce Anax. More dust littered the floor. She placed the large skull on the counter, next to the sculpture. The counter was quickly losing available space. Bogart had no place left to rest his flexing, irritated hands.


    ¡°I can do a custom mix ¡­ but that will be an added cost.¡±


    ¡°Do it,¡± commanded Valon.


    ¡°Right,¡± Bogart mumbled as he ran a finger over Anax¡¯s snout. He took out a ledger from the counter. Propping it against his belly, he penciled in a few notes. The man pressed his ruddy face up close to Anax. ¡°Hmm, E115 and H73 might work ¡­ but then there¡¯s that sheen ¡­¡± he muttered, ¡°perhaps H87 would work better ¡­¡±


    Despite his petulance, his expertise shone through. Bogart knew the glazes by heart and did not once rummage through the cases on the counter. Patience was mildly impressed. After several minutes, he seemed satisfied with his notes and turned away from Anax. Patience exhaled, relieved, for she had feared they would have needed to leave him there to match a glaze.


    ¡±The piece will be ready in two weeks,¡± announced Bogart.


    ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Valon insisted.


    ¡°What? This piece needs to dry completely before I even do its first firing let alone apply the glaze that I have to mix and then fire once more!¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow!¡± Valon repeated. ¡°I did my research. I know you can procure a special blend of powder from witches that can dry clay just as well as the natural passage of time. And I¡¯m willing to bet you would keep something like that in stock in case of emergencies.¡±


    Bogart gulped. ¡°But I have other orders to fulfill! The kilns are all occupied at the moment and won¡¯t be ready to open up for another ten hours anyway!¡±


    ¡°There must be another kiln you could use with an operation as established as yours,¡± said Patience in an attempt to balance the vinegar of Valon¡¯s words with her own honeyed tones.


    ¡°Well, there is the one Old Man Breheny used to use in his youth. Just a junker oven, really.¡±


    ¡°Can you fire this in it?¡±


    ¡°Sure I can, but that and expedited drying will cost you.¡±


    ¡°Here!¡± Valon slammed a pouch on the table. ¡°Work all night if you have to.¡±


    Bogart pulled the lip down to peek inside. His eyes bulged wide as saucers. ¡°Th-this ¡­¡± he began. His gaze lifted to meet Valon¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯ll get started.¡±


    ¡°And we¡¯d like it to be glazed all over, the underside as well,¡± Patience added sweetly.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be back by noon tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°The day¡¯s already half over. The best I can promise is Friday morning.


    Valon grumbled. ¡°Fine.¡±


    While the most uncertain task had yet to come, Patience¡¯s steps felt lighter. They were halfway through. Today¡¯s success bolstered her confidence. Perhaps they truly would get away with the skull in their hands. A few blocks from the kilns, Patience reapplied Anax to her head.


    She wished to explore museum row a bit. But with only a few more hours left of daylight, there would be no time to thoroughly enjoy the collections. For now she stayed on Valon¡¯s heels, curious where he would go next. Anax offered no opinions, and silently observed the city.


    Valon led them through increasingly denser streets. The road narrowed and the buildings pressed tighter together. More and more people wove between them, going into stores and businesses. Their pace slowed as the urban soup thickened. Patience fought to keep Valon in sight at this point. She barely paid attention to where they were walking.


    At last the man stopped in front of a glowing window. Hanging from hooks in the display were roasted ducks dripping fat into a pan. Anax hummed.


    ¡°Wait here,¡± Valon ordered. He stepped into the shop.


    Patience swerved around to survey the street. People bustled by her, paying little heed to any personal space. Most were men. They barked foreign words at each other. A faint scent of incense wafted among stronger odors of waste. Every storefront had plaques bearing the intricate calligraphy of a distant land. Valon had taken them to a Cathasian ghetto.


    Her feet shifted restlessly. There were reports of gang fights breaking out in immigrant neighborhoods in the big cities. Well, most big cities saw their share of crime. She would have felt uneasy had Anax and Valon not been there. The girl watched the immigrants going about their lives under the skeletal helm¡¯s protection. She wondered if the witch Bing ever lived in a place like this, how long it took him to acclimate to his new country, and how he met Heledd.


    Valon returned shortly, holding a wrapped bundle and a small bag. The oil was quickly seeping through the cheap paper. It bore the aroma of pure rendered fat and smelled wonderful. He gestured, ushering Patience into motion. She began down the sidewalk at a quick clip.


    Once they left the lively neighborhood, Patience reduced her pace to fall to Valon¡¯s side. She glanced at the bundle. ¡°You bought one of those ducks?¡±


    ¡°To celebrate. You did well today.¡±


    Astonishment gripped the girl. However, it quickly passed. ¡°Friday has yet to come, though,¡± she said.


    ¡°Well, who knows when we¡¯ll have time to celebrate then. Best we seize the opportunity.¡±


    Brushstrokes of pink clouds painted the fading blue sky when Valon and Patience reached their hotel again. The hunter invited Patience to dine in his room. She paused in hesitation, thinking of Anax who still topped her head. But that moment quickly passed.


    Valon set their meal on the table and cut the twine holding the bundle together with his knife. The duck lay chopped into bits in the center of the greasy paper. The crispy skin glistened in the lamplight. As Patience admired the meat, Valon washed his hands at the basin. Patience licked her lips and followed suit.


    ¡°Buckging duck, a favorite dish in Cathay. This thing took days to prepare from the moment of slaughter.¡± Valon seated himself and immediately claimed a piece with his fingers.


    ¡°Have you been?¡± asked Patience, drying her hands.


    ¡°Yes. I have,¡± he said between chews, ¡°A long time ago. Once.¡± Valon picked up a second bite of meat.


    Patience nodded, understanding that she would not get a full story. She sat and plucked a modest chunk to try. She popped it in her mouth, and instantly took another piece.


    ¡°It also comes with these buns,¡± said Valon, knocking the small bag on its side. Little white buns folded into half-moons tumbled out onto the duck paper. The two tucked chunks of meat and skin between the bun folds and ate them as small sandwiches. Anax reserved his tasting to the duck alone.


    It was odd having supper with the hunter in such an intimate setting. But Patience focused on the delicious duck, paying little attention to the company across from her. It was a feast for a moment of respite before they faced their true challenge. Friday continued to press at the back of her mind.


    ---


    Patience stared at the door of her room from her bed. Freshly bathed, she combed her fingers through her wet tresses. Outside, the sun had long set, leaving a dull blue view through the window. The warm glow of the lamps inside kept the darkness at bay. She was soon lost in a rhythm, flicking excess water to the sheets below her. The wet ends of her hair slapped against her nightgown with each pass of her hand.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t thinking of another visit with Valon, are you?¡± growled Anax.


    Patience¡¯s arms fell to her side. She sighed.


    ¡°What has he that I don¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°A warm body, for one,¡± she said.


    A snarl ripped around Patience¡¯s neck. ¡°Overrated.¡± Tendrils slithered around Patience¡¯s body, their grasp tight and cold. ¡°He¡¯s marked you quite enough.¡±


    Patience¡¯s breath hitched as Anax pulled her forward off the bed. A hint of a chest glanced off her back.


    ¡°I want to reclaim my pet.¡±


    The back of Patience¡¯s neck tingled. Sparks flew down her spine. Despite her still tepid annoyance with him, the sweet anticipation sent her heart thumping. Anax slipped her clothes away until only his mist draped over her body.


    ¡°Let¡¯s try that solution he mentioned,¡± rumbled the skull.


    At once Anax shifted into his fully formed body, propelling Patience toward the wall. Her forearms banged against the hazel wallpaper as Anax slammed her into the surface. He gripped her waist, claws pricking her skin.


    Used to his precipitant urges by now, Patience allowed herself to bend to Anax¡¯s motions. With her head bowed down, the top of Anax¡¯s skull pressed into her arms. There was no doubt Anax enjoyed watching her front flex and her breasts bounce from his thrusts.


    They had an unobstructed view of the head of his cock flashing in and out of sight as he slid back and forth along her bottom lips. Anax worked on arousing his pet. He ground against her backside, length throbbing between her cheeks.


    Patience grumbled under her breath, but her body betrayed her tenacious will. Her folds became slick and wet. Teased sufficiently, Anax breached her.


    ¡°Moan for me!¡± Anax ordered, jerking roughly in and out of Patience¡¯s cavity. ¡°Let Valon hear!¡± He grappled her middle, forcing a choked moan from her lips.


    Patience tried to stay silent, but Anax made it impossible.


    ¡°He may be warm, but does he have my reach?¡± Anax hissed. His length extended into Patience¡¯s depths, hitting the very back of her chamber. Instantly her knees buckled. She cried out.


    The entire weight of Patience¡¯s body fell into Anax¡¯s right arm. Her stomach pressed into his forearm as Anax¡¯s hand ventured down to paw her mound. His other arm curled over Patience¡¯s own, joining to brace them both against the wall from his emphatic momentum.


    Anax seemed to have doubled his usual fervor. The rasp of friction and contact mixed with a heady warmth of pleasure between her legs. Patience¡¯s head swam. She did not even realize the ululations leaving her mouth.


    A thick tendril slid up Patience¡¯s neck, threatening to collar her. It pressed around her throat, throttling the flow of blood to her face. Stings flowered at the corner of her eyes and sinuses. Yet it felt oddly pleasant. She gasped. Anax chuckled.


    ¡°You are my pet. You listen to me! Understand?¡±


    Patience nodded. He retracted his coil from her neck. The blood rushed back, like a river breaching a dam. Her entire frame tingled. She did not want to be so easily swayed, yet her body was weak. It melted at the creature¡¯s touch. She knew he relished her noises, her every reaction. And he knew exactly how to get what he wanted.


    Having made his point, Anax then reveled with abandon. He flung his body into a standing position, carrying Patience all the way. Multiple tendrils burst from the smoky torso to secure her tightly to his form. He grabbed her wrists, forcing her arms backward. As he yanked her limbs to his side, his pelvis drove deeper.


    The force was overwhelming. Patience arched away from his manic thrusts. Her belly bent outward as coils kept her bottom half firmly pressed to his and his skull kept her neck against his throat. Anax pulled her arms to the brink of pain. Her muscles strained and trembled, stretched to their limit with each of the skull¡¯s frenzied pumps. Her breaths came out ragged when they did manage to manifest between her cries.


    Bored with that position, Anax then whirled them around to face the bed. He propelled forward, smashing his skull sidelong into the covers. His claws scrambled to grab hold of Patience¡¯s chest.


    Free from his grip, Patience brought her tingling arms to brace her neck and sternum as they rubbed uncomfortably on the edge of the mattress. His torso ground into her spine. Her ass rose high in the air, Anax thrusting furiously against it. Still, her insides twisted into a ball of delight.


    ¡°Is my pet learning her lesson?¡± huffed the skull.


    Patience whimpered a meek reply.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hear you!¡± A tendril shot up to clasp the bottom of her jaw. It gripped the top of Patience¡¯s throat. An errant spark of pleasure flashed down her front.


    ¡°Y-yes,¡± she gasped.


    ¡°Good.¡± The tendril slithered up and jammed between Patience¡¯s lips. It glided over her teeth and slicked around the inside of her mouth, lathing across her tongue. Anax¡¯s hand squeezed her mound and set her body alight.


    Cries burbled from her throat, but the tendril stifled them from reaching the air. Hearing was not enough. He wanted to feel the noise vibrate through the slick fiber of his being. As Patience came, Anax did not slow as he normally would for her to enjoy her climax. Instead he withdrew the tendril from her mouth and continued his frantic pace, considering only his own enjoyment.


    The fire within her choked between his thrusts and sputtered its dying breath without any chance to flare out in a glorious blaze. All the delicious accretion led up to nothing, extinguished within seconds. Patience sighed, disgruntled. Her disappointment went ignored.


    Firmly planting his crooked feet, Anax jerked forward. He shoved Patience into the bed with his pelvis. The fabric burned against her bare skin. Anax groaned his release, claiming his pet once more. His seed poured into her chamber, filling it even as he pulled out.


    He kneaded his cock into Patience¡¯s backside for good measure. The final spurts streaked across her back. Anax intended every last drop to occupy a space inside or on Patience¡¯s skin.


    Satisfied, Anax¡¯s body collapsed into vapor with a content rumble. While it was a sultry romp, the skull did not win any favors with that finish. Patience huffed, wordlessly going to bed.

 (23) A Day Out

    The lure of a new city drew Patience out of her room the next morning. A full day¡¯s break from the operation promised some amount of ease. She hid Anax in the grate once again. While she was almost certain Valon would not pursue the skull this far into their plan, that small chance still remained. It was also a decent excuse to punish the skull further, denying him the new sights. In the hallway, she caught Valon closing his door, ready to leave the hotel. Patience bade him good morning.


    ¡°I¡¯m going out for a bit. Care to join?¡± asked the man flatly.


    Patience was taken aback for a minute, her silence almost permitting the hunter to depart prematurely. ¡°I¡ªWhere did you intend on going?¡± she squeaked.


    ¡°Just seeing the city. Might catch a show,¡± he replied with his back turned.


    The girl sighed. It would be nice to have an escort through unfamiliar territory, and without Anax she felt doubly exposed. She shrugged. The more time spent with the hunter, the less time he had for any nefarious schemes.


    ¡°Very well. After you,¡± she said.


    Out on the wild streets, Patience stuck to Valon¡¯s hind as closely as a shadow, following his every step, letting him cut through the current of pedestrians. Eventually she caught wind of the tactics of bending and weaving around people¡¯s projected paths. Focused on this new skill, Patience barely noticed Valon swerve into an eatery. It was only the flash of his silver-white hair in the light that called her attention to his whereabouts.


    The pair ordered food and drinks before sitting at a small booth amid a lingering crowd of businessmen procrastinating the start of their workday. Patience stared at the tall ceilings of the establishment, wondering about the lives housed above it. All around her, compartments of retail, business, and residence were stacked one atop another, like the hatboxes in Mrs. Laurence¡¯s shop. The girl smiled fondly at the sudden thought of the kind woman.


    ¡°I was joking about that on the train, you know,¡± said Valon, snapping Patience from her observations. He sipped a cup of steaming black coffee.


    Patience paused before she realized his reference. Terror flashed in her eyes. As Anax had willed it, the man had heard them last night.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t¡ª¡± Patience began.


    ¡°Satisfactory?¡± hemmed Valon.


    She shifted her gaze to the placid surface of her cup of tea, furrowing her brow.


    The man smirked. ¡°Hm. Still mad at him.¡±


    ¡°You can keep your nose out of that business,¡± Patience muttered.


    Either he did not hear her or he simply ignored her words. Valon nodded up at the waitress coming over with their breakfast. She set before the pair a plate of battered toast topped with cream and a dish of shrimp over grits, which Patience was surprised to see served this far north.


    They commenced eating in silence. Every other bite, the girl would flit her gaze over to Valon. For a moment, Patience wondered how domestic life would be with this man. He seemed almost normal when not seeking a target of his hubris or lust. If only he were easier to talk with. She ruminated over her plate.


    Suddenly his spoon clattered into his dish. Valon stamped his fist into his thigh and clenched his teeth. Almost by instinct, Patience¡¯s hand whipped out to steady his arm as the onset of spasms racked him. A few patrons threw stares their way, but they remained as they were. The girl bit her lip, feeling the man¡¯s arm shake beneath her touch. Seething between his teeth, Valon leaned back rigidly into the booth.


    As the episode began to pass, Patience lifted a hand up to her burn. A sting pricked under the skin, agitated by the morning light beaming through the front window. She smiled pitifully at herself. They were a pair of broken people, together on a mission to try and fix the elder. The damage in her scalp was too old to mend, her faulty nerves too established to rewire, but there was some hope for the hunter¡¯s body.


    Valon cleared his throat, leaning forward to continue with breakfast. Patience had forgotten her hand still on his arm and withdrew it in a rush, knocking her knuckles against the table¡¯s lip. She swore under her breath. To her surprise, Valon reached over and rubbed her smarting knuckles in a fleeting gesture. It was so quick Patience found it hard to believe it happened at all. His eyes never left his bowl of grits.


    After breakfast Patience skipped behind Valon out on the street. A destination was certainly on his mind as he moved deliberately at a brisk pace. The girl¡¯s throat hummed to beg the question of where he would ultimately lead them. Before she could form words, the man hinted at an answer when he noticed her lagging.


    ¡°Come along. There¡¯s something I¡¯ve been meaning to see.¡±


    Valon walked with all the confidence of a local. Patience wondered if he had frequented this city before, or if he had religiously studied a map prior to the trip. He led them up a street with graceful buildings of stone, more delicate than the monoliths of museum row. Adornments of intrigue accented various planes of the edifices. Muses carved into pillars stood watch over pedestrians. Fish played along bulkheads. Shells and lion heads studded cornices. Even the streetlamps hosted slinking dragons twining around the pole. Patience could have easily lost Valon with all the ornamental distractions had she not snapped her gaze to him every minute.


    The crowd on the street thickened as the two fell into a long line in front of a theater. The facade blossomed with viny ironwork reaching around a scalloped glass awning fanning out over a ticket booth. Not expecting to see a show, Patience stood flummoxed. As the line inched closer to the booth, she could see the cavernous maw of the front entrance. Grand double doors carved in rich wood welcomed a feast of an audience, ingesting those who had already paid.


    ¡°What are we watching?¡± asked Patience.


    Valon readied his money. ¡°A film.¡±


    Patience jolted. She had never seen a film before. There were stories of moving pictures that seemed to replicate real life, but the girl could not fathom anything beyond the lantern slideshows occasionally hosted at Keaton¡¯s community hall. She straightened her back in anticipation.


    Tickets now in hand, the pair entered the theater. Inside along wine-colored walls, posters imported from Eureba advertised a myriad of shows in a language she did not understand. Patience wondered which of these were stage productions and which were projected stories, most of all, which one she would be seeing soon.


    They found their seats and waited. An almost square screen occupied the stage framed by lavish curtains. Patience swerved around in an attempt to spot the projector but was instead met with the sight of a large belly moving to his seat. A string of notes floated from the orchestra pit, musicians squeezing in their final minutes of preparation. A man dressed in a pressed suit came out, walking across the stage to a podium to assume his role as narrator. Patience sucked in a breath. It was nearly time.


    The house lights dimmed over the full theater. The orchestra struck the first note, sending a tingle through Patience¡¯s hands as the melody lilted. The screen lit up to a collective gasp from the audience. A title card appeared while the music fell into a diminuendo, allowing the man at the podium to begin his narration of the film. But his words fell on deaf ears as many in the audience exclaimed when the scene on the screen began to move. It was true. The pictures were moving just as in real life. Patience sat with her mouth agape.


    The girl flashed Valon a quick glance. While his expression remained unchanged, his eyes glistened in the dim light. A fabulous tale of a group of astronomers and their trip to the moon unfolded before their very eyes. Patience nearly levitated away from her seat. The audience continued to exclaim as fantastical things unveiled on the screen, each one more impressive than the next. The narrator now nearly had to shout over them. It was pure magic. The high of witnessing something so new and fantastical still coursed through her body long after the film ended and the two found themselves on the street again.


    Valon chuckled. ¡°Never did I think I would live to see one of these.¡±


    ¡°It was¡ª¡± Patience breathed heavily, ¡°¡ªwords cannot describe it!¡± She then paused, realizing Valon had actually displayed some mirth. It was almost as unbelievable as the film.


    Seeming to ignore her, Valon turned and broke into a measured pace down the sidewalk. Patience huffed. It was as if he did not care whether she followed or not, but they both knew that she would.


    A mosaic carpet of crystal discs passed beneath their feet, vault lights intimating underground secrets. The city had just as many mysteries below as it did in the sun¡¯s domain. The pair left these fleeting hints of subterrane for new discoveries and met the tall gates of the largest park in New Amstel.


    An oasis nestled in the heart of the city, it drew locals and tourists alike to its sampling of country recreation. Rolling lawns sprawled out between hedgerows flanking well-worn paths. Winding waterways gave refuge to fowl of all kinds as people strolled over the bridges above them. A lake crowned this section of the park, a small island rising from its center.


    Before Patience could determine which part she would like to explore first, Valon made the decision for her. He lifted his head toward the lake.


    ¡°A nice day to be out on the water,¡± he stated as he walked in the direction of a boathouse.


    ¡°We¡¯re going out on the lake?¡±


    ¡°Sure. The boat rentals aren¡¯t terribly expensive.¡±


    Patience¡¯s heartbeat quickened. She had never been in a rowboat before, but she guessed that Valon had. She could at least place her confidence in him.


    With or without her protest, the hunter continued onward. Valon always seemed intensely focused on whatever he was doing. Even while relaxing, he had an objective that he intended to meet. After a quick exchange at the counter of the boathouse, they were instructed to take a red and white vessel moored nearest to the house. Gravel crunched under their boots as the two made their way along the shore of the lake.


    Their boat rested next to a long line of her sisters. Valon nodded at the seat. Patience clambered in as the man braced his arms against the bow. Once she was settled, he shoved them off with nary a grunt. Displaying nimbleness unexpected for his age, he leapt into the boat before it drifted too far out.


    ¡°What do you intend? Bringing me here?¡±


    ¡°Bringing you? This is for my enjoyment alone. You wanted to accompany me,¡± Valon said, grabbing the oars.


    Patience could not tell if he was joking or being serious and chose to let the matter slip away. Valon began rowing with the precision of a collegiate team. Patience had once watched an exhibition along the river not far from Haverston. The speed at which the young men made the long vessels glide through the water impressed her much. She smiled as she watched Valon¡¯s chest heave with each stroke.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done this before.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve done a lot of things.¡±


    With the shore now a good distance away, Valon slackened his arms in acceptance of a more leisurely pace. The boat lazily drifted across the lake, occasionally guided by a stroke of the oar. As they neared the island, Patience surveyed around her. Sheltered in the calmer waters, mallards meandered through a glaze of pebbled duckweed while surrounding reeds danced in the breeze. It was surreal to Patience. Here she was, a classic subject of some romantic painting. Only her date was none other than the man that caused her so much anguish in the past weeks.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure your career led you to acquire many skills¡ªit¡¯s taken you around the world,¡± said Patience, ¡°but what led you to become a hunter in the first place?¡±


    To her surprise, Valon did not deflect her inquiry. ¡°My father was the lead hunter of our village. I wanted to best him. Simple.¡±


    This opened a box of more questions in her mind. But before she could ask any, Valon lurched forward. Patience gasped. Not now. The tremors rumbled their ugly advance, emanating from his core through to his limbs. He dropped the oars into the boat, his boots knocking against the wooden interior. Valon folded as his hands gripped his sides. The spasms rocked the vessel, threatening to upset its balance in the water.


    A flash of panic swept through Patience. She took hold of the oars. She had just watched him; she could do this. With a few incoherent slaps through the water, Patience turned the rowboat around and clumsily steered it to a clear shore of the island. The hull ground against stone and silt as they made land. Patience scurried beside Valon, rubbing caring hands across his shoulders.


    Blind to the man¡¯s convulsions, the scenery persisted in its beauty. Patience stared out over the water, watching the reflection of the crisp blue sky broken into a mosaic on its surface. A rustle of willow branches whispered at her back. Valon¡¯s breath labored while his body quieted from the paroxysms.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a rest under the willow,¡± Patience gently instructed. She helped the man out of the boat. With her arm wrapped around his waist, she guided him through the willow¡¯s veil of leaves. He staggered to the trunk, sliding down to sit on the soft ground.


    The golden light played beautifully over his skin, soft shadows shifting over his face with every breeze. He glared into the distance, not focusing on anything in particular. The glint in his eyes ensnared Patience.


    It was at that moment she realized exactly how isolated he was. He had been dealing with these spasms for years without a soul to lean upon. Her doleful gaze fell over his grimly wrought features. Patience dropped to her knees.


    Valon cocked his head at her, his breaths finally coming to a regular pace. ¡°Patience,¡± he said.


    She keeled forward, touching her head to his shoulder. ¡°I really do hope our plan succeeds tomorrow, then you won¡¯t have to go another day alone,¡± she said.


    ¡°I ¡­¡± began Valon.


    But before he could finish his thought, Patience jerked up to kiss him. Her hands cupped his grizzled cheeks, fingers smoothing over his coarse beard. The green willow curtain hid them from the world beyond. Here they were alone, together.


    Patience¡¯s mind flashed to the day she and Schuler rested under a similar willow. What she was too shy and restrained to do then, she now fully acted upon with Valon. To titillate her heart even more, the hunter reciprocated. He sucked her lips, nipping just a hair¡¯s breadth of skin as she pulled away for air.


    Enthralled, Patience began slinking down his body while running a hand across his torso. She locked eyes with him. Her other hand maneuvered its way to his belt and dexterously unbuckled it. Valon raised a brow, questions clearly on his mind. However, even if he voiced them, Patience would have no answers. She knew not what overcame her. As her fingers danced around the buttons of his fly, she only knew her need to be close to him. A smile played on her lips when she felt his awakening erection underneath the dense fabric. His nostrils flared. Patience freed the first button.


    Suddenly Valon shot a hand down to grip her jaw. A sizzling sensation rolled through Patience¡¯s chest. She was ready for him to guide her to his cock. Instead he held her in place. He searched her face, his icy glare penetrating her head. Her heartbeat counted the passing seconds. For nearly a minute, Valon held her. His grip never slackened and remained steady as he began to speak.


    ¡°I¡¯m betting you¡¯ve lived your whole life at home, sheltered.¡±


    Patience dipped her head, feeling her burn hum. ¡°Y-yes.¡±


    ¡°Be more careful. You¡¯ve no idea how the real world is.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cruel,¡± she murmured, touching fingers to her scalp.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s not just people ridiculing you for your appearance. It¡¯s worse.¡± Valon stared into the distance with dark eyes. He clenched his jaw. ¡°As a hunter I could travel the world. I could always run from my worries ¡­ and the problems I caused.¡±


    Patience flashed him a glance as she toyed with an imagined younger visage of him.


    ¡°I was a greedy idiot.¡± He turned his head toward Patience, frown held tightly. A firm hand pushed her away. He buttoned his trousers. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see you being stupid and naive.¡±


    His words stung. A shock of hurt crackled through her body. Patience did not know why. ¡°But I¡ªI wanted to do this for you.¡±


    ¡°And if I weren¡¯t who I am now?¡± he growled, ¡°If I were some ratbag just out for some cunny-catching? If I were myself from thirty years ago? You¡¯re not living in some story where things always come together for a happy ending. There are shit people out there. The world is shit.¡± Valon clutched a fistful of grass in his hard fingers. He gritted his teeth and ripped the blades out of the ground. The dull snapping of their tiny roots punctuated the air.


    Stunned, Patience¡¯s body froze. All she could do was look up, searching Valon¡¯s face for that lost moment: when things were but trivial pleasures, and the reality of the world was oceans away.


    Then realization seized her heart. Heat flashed through her face. Patience had thought herself so clever, distracting Valon with her body. Even if she was indulging in her own pleasures, she had been so vulnerable. She was fortunate to have people around her that meant no real harm. She could have been deceived. She could have been harmed, or worse.


    Valon exhaled. ¡°I don¡¯t want you falling into some silver-tongued snake¡¯s trap ¡­ considering you came to me this easily.¡±


    He was the cause of so many of her recent anxieties. And yet, in a way, she cared for him. Their past time together flickered through her mind. She was certain he did not puppeteer her heart to beat for him. This was her decision alone. Patience brought a hand up to rub her temples. For a skull, he had used her. But he had not hurt her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I ever barged into your life.¡± He sighed through clenched teeth.


    Once Valon had spotted them in the Salted Strop, he defenestrated all her plans, disrupting her life. But these events tested her connection with Anax. They forced sides of the skull to show that might have taken months or years to emerge. Valon strained their relationship for better or for worse and he expedited the clarity with which Patience saw.


    Indeed she had been rash, and a little stupid. But one could not go through life without making a few mistakes. Forgiveness welled in the girl¡¯s heart. Inch by inch, she crept up Valon¡¯s chest until their eyes were level.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry.¡± Patience planted a gentle kiss on Valon¡¯s cheek, right above the line of his cropped beard. The muscles in his jaw relaxed. He gazed down at her pouting mouth. Valon sniffed and shifted away from the girl.


    A bittersweet smile fell across her lips. ¡°You really care enough to see after me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just giving you advice, is all.¡± His knees cracked as he got up from the ground. He nodded toward the boat. ¡°Shall we?¡±


    Patience climbed in and seated herself as Valon shoved the bow. As an afterthought to the case in defense of herself, she muttered, ¡°I¡¯m not completely stupid.¡±


    Valon grumbled in acknowledgment and hopped in as the rowboat glided onto the water.


    The rest of the day was spent in sweet serenity. For lunch they ate at a pretzel stand in the park. Afterward Valon led Patience the long way back to their hotel, touring a few of the closest neighborhoods. Snippets of unfamiliar languages kissed her ears. A palette of smells painted the inside of her nose. She never fathomed a worldly adventure could wait beyond a few city blocks. When the sky darkened, they capped their outing with a meal at a Vitelian bistro not far from the hotel.


    The meat sauce pasta sat heavily in Patience¡¯s stomach as they walked back to their lodging. As she stared up at the regal hotel, her heart sank. The moon peeked over the roofline, a pale face signaling the day¡¯s imminent conclusion.


    On approach to their rooms, Patience took smaller steps. She did not want her time with Valon to end. It had been so pleasant. It was a relaxing escape. To go back to her room would be a return to the sullen reality of the whole operation at New Amstel, and to the bitterness lingering between her and Anax. Patience planted her feet to the floor.


    Valon regarded her casually as he stepped past her to unlock his door.


    She trained on his back, hoping she would not regret the words to come from her mouth. ¡°May I ¡­ spend the night with you?¡±


    The man flicked his head toward her, his face etched in seriousness. ¡°Would that be wise?¡±


    He gave her a choice. However, her answer was already set in stone. Foolish or not, she knew the truth of what she wanted. Patience sighed, ¡°That has never stopped me before.¡±


    Valon shrugged, letting his door creak open. A hand reached beyond the jamb to turn on the lights. He stood at the threshold, waiting for the girl. Patience inhaled, letting her chest rise, feeling the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her eyes met those of Valon as the hairs on her arms rose. The breath held in her lungs seeped out between her teeth. Peeling her boots from the floor, the girl strode toward the hunter, brushing past him into his room.


    As Valon closed the door behind them, Patience halted. She whirled around to face the man. She almost leaned up for a kiss, but restrained herself. Instead she patted her hand on his chest before moving away. His eyebrows tilted upward ever so slightly.


    This time Patience was not seeking sex. Even though she was willing at the lake, Valon had shown to her that he could offer more. This time Patience simply wanted company, another being to lie with that was not Anax. Valon left her alone and sat at the table, minding himself. Not knowing what else to do, Patience stood by the bed.


    ¡°Would you like to wash up first?¡± Valon asked, unlacing his boots.


    Patience nodded.


    The pitcher on the nightstand had been filled with fresh water by housekeeping. It was cold but managed to strip away the city¡¯s dirt and dust from her skin. Her ears tuned for any sounds the hunter made. Her heart was aflutter, beating in a way only Valon could conduct. He was still unpredictable and yet so very tempting. Timid, Patience could barely meet his eyes as she stepped back toward the bed.


    Just as she was about to sit atop the covers, Valon barked, ¡°Not in your clothes that have been outside all day.¡±


    Her mind flashed to her nightgown inside the dresser in the room over, but something kept her from leaving to retrieve it.


    ¡°You are free to undress.¡±


    Patience bristled. But she noticed his tone was softer. It held no indication that he wanted her body right there and then. She shyly stripped, leaving on her drawers and chemise. The dresser top received her neatly folded clothes. When Valon rose to use the washstand, Patience rushed under the bed covers. Even though he had already witnessed her bare body, she felt uncomfortably aware of herself at that moment.


    Peering above the cover, Patience watched Valon wash. He removed his shirt, carefully hanging it over a chair. He cupped his hands and drenched his face. The water glistened on his tan skin in the lamplight. It trickled down veins and valleys of muscle. Beads of water dripped from his beard while he changed to his pajama pants. Patience flushed when she saw he wore no underwear today. She quickly turned to her other side to face away from him.


    The mattress dipped when Valon sat upon the bed. He swung his legs under the covers and reclined into the pillows. Patience stared into the white linen of the pillowcase. Her skin prickled as Valon grazed against her. Perhaps this was what Patience really sought: to test what domestic life could be like with a human man. She rolled over and cast her gaze toward him.


    As much as Valon intrigued her, lying by his side did not feel quite right. Despite his warmth, he felt cold. Patience traced the scars and spots on his skin with her eyes. A part of her missed the raw passion of their previous trysts. The air between them had changed ever since the afternoon. The curtain had been pulled back, and he kept his distance. Yet Patience insisted on closing that space.


    ¡°Have you ever been in love?¡± she asked.


    Valon lifted his head and shifted onto his back, eyeing her dubiously. ¡°Is that something you need to know of me?¡±


    This man and his guarded words. Patience¡¯s lips curved into a frown. ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯m not¡ªwith you,¡± she said. ¡°I just want to know ¡­ how does one know if one is in love?¡±


    Valon snorted. ¡°If you don¡¯t know, then how do you know you¡¯re not¡ªwith me?¡±


    Patience balked. ¡°It¡¯s ¡­ a feeling.¡±


    Another snort erupted from the man. He stretched his neck. ¡±Don¡¯t seek relationship advice from me.¡±


    She pulled the sheet tightly around her. ¡°You¡¯re a man of a certain age. Therefore, I expect you to be able to impart certain wisdoms, as you did this afternoon.¡±


    Valon pointed his chin toward the ceiling. ¡°You already know I¡¯ve never settled down. I¡¯m alone.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± said the girl, planting a few fingers against her cheek. ¡°So I thought you might have some insight on what not to do. And being alone doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ve never loved anyone.¡±


    ¡°You want to know if you love the creature or that dark-haired man?¡±


    It was obvious. Any person with half a wit could see right through her. Patience flitted her attention to the pillow.


    Valon smirked before answering her. ¡°It¡¯s a feeling.¡±


    With that he rolled onto his side, bringing a heavy hand to Patience¡¯s face. He kissed her deeply and turned his back on her. Patience was still eager. She had not changed that afternoon. Valon had. He had seen her for her worth. The girl stared at the hunter¡¯s broad shoulders once more before snuggling close, drifting off to sleep. It was the most content she had felt in a while.

 (24) Iasis

    ¡°Rise and shine,¡± barked Valon.


    Patience¡¯s eyes peeled open. Valon was already dressed and currently pulling on his boots by the door. His neatly combed hair glistened in the lamplight. He had already bathed. The girl pushed aside the covers and rubbed the corners of her eyes. The window revealed the sun to have barely risen from its own bed on the horizon. Valon shot her a look, urging for haste.


    Without exchanging any words, Patience wearily shuffled to clean her face and extremities at the washstand. She dressed and hurried to the restroom. Finally she stopped at her room to collect Anax.


    ¡°You waited for morning to put me on again?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°I simply wished for space,¡± Patience said dismissively as she grabbed her bag, not wanting to keep Valon waiting.


    In the elevator, Valon handed Patience a small bread roll. From where he got it, she did not ask. It seemed a proper meal would be delayed until Valon had the skull in his hands. Baked inside were chopped walnuts and dried cranberries. Patience wished he had another one to offer, but it sated her hunger for now.


    Outside on the streets, New Amstel stirred awake. Dedicated merchants hurried to their storefronts, meeting yawning men with their morning supply deliveries. Nightguards exchanged shifts with their day counterparts. Street cleaners retired to their homes to wash away the night¡¯s filth sticking to their clothes and skin. All the people needed to be at the behest of others wandered to their places. Anax watched the civilians they passed with mild interest as they traversed the city blocks. When they reached the kilns, the morning bustle was in full swing.


    The exhilaration of an early day married the restlessness in Patience¡¯s heart. Today would be their judgment. To her own amazement, Patience genuinely felt excited about the last half of their operation. She could not wait to put the final steps into motion.


    She could not wait for it to be over.


    Valon was also visibly on edge. As they waited to cross the street, his foot rapidly tapped the ground. Initially Patience thought it was another episode, but soon realized it was his impatience.


    Anax, too. His eye skittered around the socket. But Patience knew he was not worried over his fate hinging upon the acquisition of this other skull. He was simply excited at the prospect of interacting with another yaszaha after so long.


    The view of the brick buildings and chimney pipes could not come soon enough. The smokestacks in the distance speared a pale blue sky, the sun rising between them. Before entering Breheny and Sons¡¯ reception room, Patience packed Anax into her carpetbag, turning him upside down. Valon was the first to burst inside.


    The door to the warehouse was fully open. Patience spied men passing back and forth, attending to various tasks. A faint glow in the far back glimmered as workers fed more fuel into the kilns¡¯ fires. The ruddy face of Bogart streaked past the door. He doubled back when he noticed Valon glaring in the doorway.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Bogart whipped his head over his shoulder. ¡°Hey, Peralta! Load kiln number two! I have some clients to meet with,¡± he yelled. A holler responded in affirmation. Bogart held up a finger to ask Valon to wait one moment before he disappeared off to the side.


    Valon grumbled, returning to wait by the counter.


    After a while, Bogart entered the reception room with a large bundle wrapped in cloth under his arm. ¡°There were a few ¡­ unforeseen elements I had to acquire to get the glaze to fire correctly. I needed to make an inconvenient trip out to meet your deadline.¡± He set the bundle on the counter.


    Valon furrowed his brow. ¡°Allow me a guess ¡­ witches.¡±


    Bogart sniffed. ¡°You¡¯d be correct. They make some beautiful pottery I¡¯ll have you know. But their special ingredients do come at a premium.¡±


    Valon huffed and threw a few bills his way. Bogart seemed satisfied and carefully revealed the replica.


    From afar it appeared an exact match. Patience stepped nearer, for she had seen and held the original. Upon more careful inspection, it was almost as good. The hue was close, just a shade darker. The luster was off, a tad duller than she had hoped. Patience picked it up between steady hands. The weight felt right, as did the texture. Underneath the replica were pinpricks in the glaze where a stand had held it up in the kiln. Nothing a bit of shoe wax could not gloss over.


    Overall, the replica was good. Good enough to pass for the real thing. Since the skull had yet to be categorized, their hopes rested on the assumption that whoever received it did not log in the fine details and no discernible differences could be noted. This replica would do.


    ***


    Another step completed. Patience¡¯s heart raced all the way to the museum. She eyed her bag, picturing the replica nestled in the underside of Anax¡¯s skull. If things went accordingly, it would soon be the real thing tucked into Anax. They made a quick stop to procure a small glob of wax from a street shoeshiner. Patience paid him three pennies.


    At the base of the steps of the Manford Museum, Patience quickly rubbed the wax into the replica. Near perfection. She closed her bag and ascended the stairs with Valon.


    On the other side of the large doors, Patience¡¯s face brightened. The clerk from Wednesday occupied the same spot where Patience had first spoken with her. She casually strolled up to the counter, bag held tightly in her grip. Valon sat upon the same bench to wait.


    ¡°Excuse me. Hello again!¡± Patience simpered.


    The clerk looked up momentarily confused before switching to a default state of hospitality. ¡°Oh, hello again, Ms. Firmin. How may I assist you today?¡±


    Patience cleared her throat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to be such a bother, but could you be so kind as to allow me back into collection room C? I believe I misplaced a couple of my pencils.¡±


    The clerk raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Please! They were my father¡¯s,¡± she fibbed.


    A sympathetic look washed over the clerk¡¯s face. She leaned over to retrieve the room¡¯s key. ¡°Of course.¡±


    As their heels tapped down the tiled hallway, Patience¡¯s heart intensified its drumming. She ignored the security guard, pushing him far away from her mind. Though she became very aware of the mounted animals she passed, feeling their watchful gaze examining her. The emptiness of the staircase felt oddly threatening. Her vision tunneled down the white hallway embossed with framed prints. The clerk unlocked the door and stood by the jamb.


    ¡°Um, they might have rolled under the cabinets. I may be a few minutes.¡± Patience laughed nervously.


    ¡°All right, just close the door behind you when you leave,¡± huffed the clerk. ¡°Our taxonomist is scheduled to come in soon anyway.¡± She left.


    Once the door clicked shut, Patience leapt to the cabinet, sliding the drawer open. The skull was still there. She opened her bag, lifting the replica out of its wrappings. Side by side in the dim light, they looked nearly identical. Patience carefully untied the tag from the real skull. The tips of her fingernails tuned through years of sewing negotiated the thin string loose. She laced the thread around the replica, tying a tight knot. In place of its twin, the replica went to rest between a scapula and humerus, its fate sealed with the shut of the drawer.


    Suddenly the rattle of the door handle tore through the silent room. Patience threw her body down into a crouch, hugging her bag tight against her chest. Her back was to the door. She hoped her body was enough to hide the skull.


    ¡°Oh, pardon me, Miss!¡± said a voice.


    Patience paled. Back held deathly still, her arms moved inch by inch to place the skull into her open bag.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± she squeaked. The skull nestled into the cloth lining the upturned Anax. Patience thanked the wrappings for muffling any sound. ¡°I was looking for a couple of pencils I swear I misplaced here the other day!¡±


    ¡°Would you like my help?¡± offered the taxonomist from the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m quite all right. Thank you very much, Sir.¡± Patience shifted her body ever so slightly to appear to be looking around the cabinet. With a deft movement, she clasped her bag shut, masking the sound by slamming her elbow down on the tiled floor. That smarted. She seethed between her teeth and twisted her head toward the voice.


    The taxonomist stood perplexed by the door. He stroked his mutton chop beard as he peered down at a pocket watch. Patience feigned delight on her face as she quickly glanced to confirm her bag was closed.


    ¡°Ah! There they are!¡± she exclaimed, crawling toward the cabinet near the worktable. She reached her hand beneath the wooden repository. Two pencils emerged in her grasp.


    ¡°Very good,¡± said the man. Patience stood, flashing him more supplicating smiles as she stepped toward the egress. Just a few more feet to freedom.


    ¡°So very sorry if I inconvenienced you in any way, Sir.¡± She brushed past his tweed-clad shoulder. Her face stared at the wall of the hallway. She could feel the draft.


    ¡°Wait a moment.¡±


    The girl froze in her tracks. Her heart stopped.


    ¡°Are you ¡­ Are you Antander¡¯s daughter?¡±


    Her heart beat again. Patience swiveled around. ¡°Yessir. I am Patience Firmin.¡±


    ¡°A pleasure,¡± the taxonomist said, bowing slightly, ¡°I am Edgar Bullens. On the few occasions that I¡¯d met him, he always spoke at great length of his family. Once he mentioned how his daughter accidentally rubbed her burn raw from scratching a mosquito bite, and was having the worst time. He deeply wished to be with you instead of the oryx he was mounting. When Leland informed me of his death I felt such shame to not have made greater acquaintance with him. Truly, Antander was a fine man.¡±


    Patience smiled sadly. Her eyes began to sting as she recalled that summer. She was six and threw a tantrum when her father left home. Her mother had to bake a whole cobbler to conciliate her. The memories quickly scattered aside as Patience thought of a quick recovery to be free of this room.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Bullens. I am glad to know my father¡¯s memory can live on in the stories we share.¡± Patience curtseyed and excused herself. Mr. Bullens tipped his head again and bade her farewell.


    Patience¡¯s feet broke into a fast clip, but not so fast as to attract suspicion. She ascended the stairs on her tiptoes. The archway into the main hall sang to her. The guard was preoccupied, studying his fingernails. A chorus erupted in her mind once she came into the presence of the giant skeleton.


    As she passed by the front desk, Patience held up her pencils and flashed the clerk a grin. She returned a smile under her glasses and refocused on her work. Patience held her breath across the final steps to Valon. Upon her approach, he casually rose to his feet and exited, holding open the heavy door for his partner in crime.


    Patience could barely sense herself or her surroundings as she followed Valon across the street. All she could feel was the thundering of her heart. They did it. She had stolen from a museum. She whispered an apology to her father. But assuming he would have known this specimen was alive, surely he would champion for its release into the wild. She gritted her teeth. More likely than not, he would want it in a zoo to observe its behavior. She would want it released into the wild.


    At last, blocks separated the pair from the museum. They stopped to rearrange Patience¡¯s bag. Patience wrapped the new skull securely in the cloth wrappings and removed Anax to wear. Valon took possession of the bag.


    ¡°It is done,¡± breathed Patience. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Anax trilled.


    Still they could not rest to talk, Valon was heading back to their hotel at a brisk pace. Patience could only imagine the state of the man¡¯s mind. Everything he worked for these past few years would culminate in the next hour. Had he made off with her bag this instant with the new skull, Patience would not have cared. She had completed her end of the bargain. She was free. However, the promise of seeing another yaszaha was too great, and Patience loyally kept close behind Valon.


    ¡°What do you think she¡¯ll be like?¡± asked Anax.


    Patience raised her brows. ¡°The new yaszaha? It is a she?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°The size and shape of her skull. Remember, I felt all around her,¡± he burbled.


    ¡°Must you put it like that?¡± Patience sighed as their hotel appeared at the end of the block.


    Foregoing the elevator, Valon instead ran up the stairs with the agility of a man a third of his age. Patience wanted to test him and called the elevator. When she reached their floor, she caught Valon inserting the key to his room just as the elevator doors opened.


    ¡°Hurry up!¡± Valon ordered.


    Patience tore down the hallway, her boot taps snapping through the air. She breathlessly met the man in his room and shut the door behind her. Anax locked it with a tendril.


    Valon opened her bag atop the bed. He stripped away the cloth wrap to reveal their trophy. It glimmered in the light streaming through the window. Here it was. At last. They all held silent as Valon lifted the skull.


    As imposing as Valon might be with a skeletal helm of his own, it did not fully fit over the man¡¯s head. He wore it like a newsboy cap, which was made easier by the absence of the jaws. It had its boon this way; his handsome face was still visible, Patience thought. Valon winced, evidence of the mental link this skull was establishing. Confirming the connection, a familiar white mist began to billow out the back of the skeletal cap. They waited with bated breath for the new yaszaha to make herself known.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about taking my soul!¡± Valon warned with his eyes shut.


    Anax grumbled, ¡°That¡¯s not how it w¡ª¡±


    ¡°MY! This mental block is like steel!¡± screeched a voice.


    Patience held a hand to her mouth. Anax thrummed.


    ¡°Settle down, Creature!¡± barked Valon.


    The higher voice gasped. ¡°This is not how a life-donor is to behave!¡±


    ¡°Petulant beast! I¡¯ll be dead before I give my body to you!¡±


    ¡°You will submit!¡±


    Amid the squabbling, Anax formed his body and lifted Patience into the air, to which she still was not fully accustomed. He now stood nearly a head taller than Valon as he planted himself in front of the hunter. He held the man¡¯s head between his claws and stared straight into the skull¡¯s sockets. His one glowing orb met two of the other skull¡¯s.


    ¡°Be still. We shall explain!¡± Anax hissed.


    Upon seeing another of her own kind, Valon¡¯s skull immediately quieted.


    ¡°She will listen now,¡± said Anax.


    Silence befell the hotel room. The only sound came from the clock and Valon¡¯s deep breaths. Anax continued to lock eyes with the other yaszaha.


    ¡°I¡¯m Patience ¡­ this is Anax ¡­ he¡¯s my partner ¡­¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t recall ever seeing a yaszaha coexist with their donor¡¯s will,¡± the cap remarked. ¡°How curious!¡±


    Patience continued, ¡°The man you¡¯ve linked with is Valon, though I¡¯m sure you know that by now ¡­ and whom may I be addressing?¡±


    ¡°I am Iasis.¡±


    Patience noticed Anax swaying. The excitement from seeing another of his species after so long coursed through his fog. Iasis¡¯ gaze remained fastened on Anax.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind us if you skulls want to talk,¡± huffed Valon. He made himself comfortable and sat in the plush armchair by the window. Anax crouched and dissipated his body, allowing Patience to follow suit. She sat at the table.


    ¡°You found me in a museum collection?¡± Iasis asked, searching Valon¡¯s mind.


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story, but yes,¡± said Anax. ¡°I myself fell into the hands of a collector. Luckily I was shipped to Patience here and she was foolish enough to put me on.¡±


    Patience rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Do you remember your death?¡± asked Anax solemnly.


    Iasis peered out the window. ¡°I was protecting my younger siblings from a bear while our parents were out hunting. Needless to say, he got the better of me. As for my siblings, I am uncertain of their fate. I like to think my parents came back in time to save them.¡±


    Anax grunted.


    ¡°I¡ªI should like to see the outside, if I could, Valon?¡± Her plea was so sweet, but behind it was a tint of fear. Patience wondered if Valon was just that strong mentally. She would not put it past him. She felt slightly sorry for Iasis.


    ¡°We can go out later.¡± The hunter tented his fingers. ¡°Iasis,¡± said Valon pointedly, ¡°I am willing to be your life-donor for as long as I¡¯m able. But how long I am able is unclear. I am suffering from an illness.¡±


    ¡°Can you heal him?¡± asked Patience.


    Iasis remained silent for a minute, undoubtedly still overwhelmed by her new surroundings and onslaught of information. Her eyes darted to Anax¡¯s, seeking reassurance from a kinsman.


    ¡°Take your time, but we need to know,¡± Anax said.


    ¡°Fancy that ¡­ I gain my second-life and immediately I must save my donor, and I don¡¯t even have full control ¡­¡±


    ¡°Can you heal me or not?¡± Valon growled.


    ¡°It seems I¡¯ve no choice but to coexist with this one,¡± she repined. Her eyes rolled down to Valon¡¯s arms. ¡°I will see what I can do, but it might take some time before I can give you a sufficient answer.¡±


    Her voice when not irritated was soft and fleeting, similar to a summer¡¯s breeze. Patience wondered what Anax¡¯s voice sounded like when not directly emanating from around her head.


    ¡°How long?¡± asked Valon.


    ¡°I will know in the morning,¡± said Iasis. Her mist puffed around Valon¡¯s neck. Caught in the light, thin strands of vapor trailed up Valon¡¯s nostrils.


    The souls in the room fell into an uneasy peace. Valon sat in the armchair, staring out the window. Patience swore she could feel Anax practically humming. Little crackles of sound bit at her ears. He was eager to say something.


    ¡°C-can you talk while you evaluate?¡± Anax asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t disturb her!¡± snapped Valon.


    Iasis seemed to enter a trance. Her eyes held still in their sockets. Patience was slightly unsettled seeing them frozen when she was used to Anax¡¯s being so lively. The white orbs jerked backward as Valon threw his head into the armchair. A long sigh escaped him.


    ¡°Patience,¡± Valon said.


    ¡°Y-yes?¡±


    ¡°Go out. Enjoy yourself. I can handle things here,¡± he mumbled while stroking his chin with a heavy hand.


    ¡°I ¡­¡± She glanced out the window. ¡°I would like to buy food for us. We haven¡¯t eaten much today.¡±


    ¡°If you wish,¡± breathed Valon. His eyes glowed like melting ice in the light.


    Patience nodded to herself. She still wanted to help the hunter, even though he had no more use for her. She collected her carpetbag and left.


    Venturing through the streets unaccompanied was intimidating. While Anax was a nice reassurance, the girl stuck to the blocks close to the hotel. It was too easy to get lost in this city. Eventually she found a shop where she bought a large order of fried cod and vegetable slaw. The straight shot back to the hotel kept the food from getting too cold.


    When she returned to Valon¡¯s room, she found the hunter seated at the table. His shoulders were slack and he appeared to be comfortable. Iasis¡¯ orbs stayed deathly still in their sockets as if they were painted onto the empty space. The man held a steaming mug to his mouth, another rested by his elbow. He must have ordered them from the hotel¡¯s service phone in the hallway. Valon nodded her over. Patience spread the meal before them. He slid over the other mug. It was filled with hot tea. She smiled and thanked him.


    While the greatest task had been accomplished, there now hung a heavier anticipation. At this point, with everything hanging on Iasis¡¯ answer, the last thing Patience wanted was to step on Valon¡¯s toes. This meant the world to Valon and she disturbed him as little as possible.


    Even Anax restrained his quips. As Iasis was unavailable to chat, he resolved to simply observe their confines. Despite having Iasis in his company now, Valon remained a threat. Anax thought it wise not to cross him.


    The silence badgered the room. As they ate, Patience noticed Valon¡¯s mood gradually souring. His jaw aggressively ground his food in slow, brooding motions. His brows drew down toward his nose, nostrils flaring. His hands curled into fists. The girl¡¯s heart began thumping, predicting an outburst.


    After they repacked the remainder of the meal to save for supper, Patience wondered if she should leave Valon alone. Once she finished washing at the stand, she moved to the door. The shriek of a chair sent a shock through her veins.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    Patience turned to lock eyes with Valon now standing over the table. ¡°I thought ¡­ I thought you wouldn¡¯t want me around anymore.¡±


    ¡°Stay.¡±


    A brush of red feathered over her nose. Patience nodded. A small hiss passed over the nape of her neck. But that was all. Anax still held his proverbial tongue in Valon¡¯s presence. Patience briefly delighted in his abeyance before shifting her focus to the bed. If she were to stay, she would require more comfortable seating arrangements. The plush armchair was Valon¡¯s alone, she resolved.


    ¡°M-may I sit there?¡± she asked, peering down at her clothes.


    ¡°Go ahead. The bed hasn¡¯t been turned down yet.¡±


    Patience obliged, removing her shoes. She sat with her legs crossed atop the coverlet. Valon returned to the armchair once again. For a moment, they held each other¡¯s gaze under their skeletal helms. But Patience could not bring herself to stare too long at the glowing still orbs of Iasis.


    The rest of the day, Valon intermittently questioned Anax about the nature of his species, everything Patience had already learned. She could tell he was genuinely curious now that he had his own partner. Some youth returned to his face as his frown slackened, his eyes widened, and his brow unfurrowed. She smiled to herself. It was nice to hear civil conversation between the two.


    As night closed over the city and crept into the room, Valon stepped out to order another round of tea for them. Iasis had not changed while evaluating Valon¡¯s condition on some other plane of existence.


    ¡°Is her inactivity normal?¡± Patience asked.


    ¡°Think of it as you concentrating particularly hard on something. Some individuals can accomplish multiple tasks at once. Others must focus all their attention and shut out the rest of the world.¡±


    ¡°And I assume you are the former?¡±


    ¡°Correct,¡± clucked Anax. ¡°It is not uncommon for younger ones like Iasis to be dead focused.¡±


    Although it was difficult to imagine Valon fearing anything, Patience thought Anax¡¯s presence was a considerable reassurance for the man. To be so close to one¡¯s answer and only have it delayed another day could drive anyone mad. Patience could sympathize. Waiting on something as tremendous as a cure was better spent with company. With Iasis unresponsive, the guidance Anax had been giving was invaluable to rest any immediate qualms Valon might have had.


    When the hunter returned from the hall, Patience could not help but feel a small swell of pride. In the whole world, she was uniquely suited to see Valon through this. If he wanted her there, then she would honor his wish. And still there was the benefit of not being alone with Anax.


    Their tea arrived after a short while, and they had their supper. Valon continued to form questions, this time directed at Patience mostly. He asked her how she adjusted to life with Anax and what they had done up to the point of their introduction outside the Salted Strop. Anax would interject on occasion, but he behaved.


    A knock interrupted their conversation. As Valon opened the door, the maid jumped a little in her shoes upon seeing them with their skeletal adornments, but regained her composure. She had come to pick up after them and turn down the bed. Patience and Valon took the opportunity to visit the restrooms to wash for the evening.


    At the end of the hall, before they split off to the men¡¯s and women¡¯s restrooms respectively, Valon grabbed Patience¡¯s arm. ¡°You¡¯re coming back to my room when you¡¯re ready for bed.¡±


    His watery blue eyes revealed it to be more of a request than a command. Regardless, Patience flushed and nodded.


    ¡°What is it about him tonight?¡± rumbled Anax as Patience brushed her teeth.


    She spat into the sink. ¡°He simply needs company right now. I believe it¡¯s incredibly lonely, waiting on such important news.¡±


    In the mirror, Patience watched Anax¡¯s orb roll up into its socket.


    ¡°You answer his questions about your kind, I¡¯m there for him to know this partnership won¡¯t turn him into some abomination.¡±


    ¡°Unlikely. Don¡¯t tell me I will have to bear watching you lay with him.¡±


    ¡°Of course not!¡± Patience balked. She wiped her mouth. A ghost of a smirk crossed her lips. As much as she would like Anax to witness how Valon handled her, to couple in the presence of Iasis seemed all too obscene.


    Finished in the bathroom, Patience trotted down the hall to briefly stop at her room. She changed into her nightgown. The wide neck hole brushed her clavicles. Patience traced a few fingers along the collar, feeling her soft skin at the edge. She stopped at her sternum, imagining Valon ripping the hole wider to access her breasts. Her breath shuddered. Tarrying no longer, she stole away next door.


    Patience knocked.


    ¡°It¡¯s unlocked,¡± called Valon.


    Thoughts of her first night spent with Valon crossed her mind before the door revealed a much different scene lit by a sconce next to the headboard. The man was in bed, cover pulled up to his bare chest. His supine form relaxed into the mattress. His head cradled in pillows. The bedspread pulled back to expose the empty spot next to his body.


    Patience locked the door behind her and crept into the open space beside him. He lay still, his head pointed underneath Iasis¡¯ snout toward them. Patience attempted to read his face between stolen glances as she arranged the pillows on her side to rest Anax comfortably. To her surprise, he spread the cover over her shoulder with a sweep of his arm once she was situated.


    Valon then tugged at the sconce pull, extinguishing its light. Only the faint glow emanating from the window and three orbs shone in the room. The shuffling of fabric broke the silence. Limited in movement from Anax, Patience nestled into the sheets as best she could.


    Eventually she found herself lying in much the same position as Valon. Anax kept her from snuggling too close to the man. She imagined this delighted the skull. Patience heaved a sigh, her breath dissipating into shadows. Like two bodies resting in a grave, she and Valon cast their gaze to the darkness above them.


    ¡°Good night,¡± Valon murmured.


    Hidden in the dimness, Patience¡¯s face softened. He had resolved to sleep early, to expedite the wait. ¡°Good night,¡± Patience returned.


    In the heat under the covers, she reached a hand out to the man. She brushed her fingers to his thigh, feeling the silk of his pants. His hand entwined with hers. Together, they slept to wait for the new day to come.

 (25) Farewell

    ¡°Patience, it¡¯s almost time,¡± said Anax.


    Cloudy tendrils prodded the girl awake. She blinked her eyes open and lifted her head. The room was brightly washed with strong morning light. They had slept in past their normal waking hours. To her left, Iasis¡¯ orbs were slowly rolling into motion. Patience sat up. Valon looked so peaceful, imbibing a sleep free from fits and other troubles he might have suffered. She hesitated before shaking the man¡¯s shoulders.


    Valon stirred awake. ¡°Is Iasis ready?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Not quite. Younger ones normally have a more difficult time coming back to their senses. But she will come around soon,¡± explained Anax.


    Without a word, Valon got up to dress. Patience followed suit, escaping to the hallway.


    ¡°Iasis will return to form, right?¡± asked Patience as she unlocked her room door.


    ¡°Naturally. Do you not believe me?¡±


    ¡°I do ¡­ I just suppose Valon and I both are feeling a bit impatient.¡±


    She dressed and abandoned her room again. It was a shame Valon had spent money on a room she now barely used. The girl washed the sleep from her eyes and visited the restroom before heading back to the hunter.


    Patience found Valon sitting in the armchair, pensively admiring the view with the curtains drawn completely open. The maid had visited and, from the look of things, quickly left after making the bed. The girl pulled a chair from the table, keeping a few feet away from Valon.


    Iasis¡¯ eyes finally unfroze. The agony of waiting was over. ¡°V-Valon ¡­¡± whimpered the smaller skull.


    ¡°We¡¯re all here, Iasis,¡± said the man in a measured tone, ¡°tell us what you¡¯ve found.¡±


    Iasis¡¯ eyes rolled to watch Patience and Anax by the table. ¡°This disease you have, it¡¯s far too ¡­ embedded in your being for me to stop.¡±


    Patience¡¯s stomach fell through the floor.


    ¡°We can knit together bone and muscle, we can abate and eliminate infections, viruses, and parasites. But this ¡­ I cannot overcome. How do I say this? As quickly as I can stabilize them, more of your cells die off or come out wrong.¡±


    ¡°Like trying to bail water out of a sinking canoe,¡± Anax uttered.


    ¡°Yes,¡± said Iasis. She reached a tendril to Valon¡¯s cheek. ¡°The most I can do for you is end the tremors. But you will still wither away with this disease.¡±


    Silence.


    Valon kept his gaze on the view past the window. The city, brimming with vivacity, was a simple vignette framed by emerald curtains. Life went on outside, ignorant to the disquiet in this box of a room.


    ¡°How long until my death?¡± he asked.


    Iasis quibbled, ¡°You¡¯re fortunate you¡¯ve stayed in such good shape and live healthily¡ª¡±


    ¡°How long?¡± he repeated.


    Iasis held a pause too long for comfort. ¡°A few years, but I can¡¯t say the same for your mental faculties.¡±


    ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°It is uncertain. Your mind may decline near the very end, or in a year.¡±


    Patience instinctually sat up, ready to console the man. She expected him to be completely devastated, to fly into a fit of rage or break down upon the floor. But when she glimpsed his face, it was calm. He was smiling. Ever full of surprises, Valon sat relaxed in the armchair. The girl then did not expect to find herself shedding the tears and exuding the grief meant to belong to the hunter.


    It came with a wail born deep in her heart. The stream of sorrow released, an unending trickle of water brimmed from her eyes. There had always been a chance that Iasis could not cure him, much like how Anax could not regenerate her flesh damaged and lost in the fire. But still she had hoped. Patience did not anticipate Iasis¡¯ words slicing into her so effectively. Valon was marked for an early death, and this confirmed it.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± choked Patience. Snuffling she crept toward the seated man. She rubbed at her eyes with her sleeve in a feeble attempt to salvage her composure. ¡°I¡¯m sorry all this was for nothing.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t,¡± said Valon.


    Turning around, his steel gaze touched upon hers. No longer did they hold an intense fire; there was only acceptance. She hovered over him, lips quivering.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure Iasis will make me comfortable through the very end,¡± he whispered.


    Patience shook, holding back a new rush of tears. Valon wrapped a hand over her hip and began stroking her side. She was not prepared to be consoled. All she could do was hunch over the man and hug his neck, tears cascading and dripping from her chin. Anax¡¯s jaw clacked against Iasis¡¯s skull as Patience rested her head on Valon. The two yaszaha remained in silent vigilance. They knew they could add nothing to this moment. It was between the humans alone.


    The shadows crawled across the room before Patience¡¯s sobs subsided. Valon had soothed her while she seated herself on the armrest. She had shed all the tears in her body and was now slumped against the man¡¯s shoulder. Her lips were dry and her eyes tight. Valon rubbed her arm once more as she shuddered her last sob. Depleted, the girl wearily turned toward the bed. Climbing atop the coverlet, a deep sigh escaped her lungs. She was not even sure why she cried for this man she barely knew.


    Death had once again touched Patience¡¯s life, but she was lucky this time. Strong and focused, this stunning example of vitality would be her sole picture of Valon and how she would remember him. Spared from his deathbed, nothing else would mar that image.


    The memories of her time together with Valon, however rocky, brought a small smile to her burning lips. She then accepted his fate, something Valon had done hours ago.


    Anax extended a tiny tendril to pat her shoulder. Certain that she had calmed down, the skull grunted to speak. ¡°Iasis, do you really want to go with him?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied immediately, ¡°Even if my second life will be short with Valon, I wish to live it.¡±


    A thought wormed its way into Patience¡¯s mind. She rubbed her face before shifting her head to peer at Valon in the armchair. ¡°Valon ¡­ when the time comes for you to give up Iasis, would it be possible to arrange for her to be sent to my home? I can take care of her.¡±


    ¡°What? You¡¯ll replace me with her?¡± Anax shrieked.


    ¡°No, you idiot,¡± snapped the girl, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure her skull isn¡¯t destroyed! I could possibly even find a new life-donor for her ¡­¡°


    The voice surrounding Patience¡¯s head fell silent.


    Patience continued, ¡°But let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. Will you do that, Valon?¡±


    Valon held still for a moment. ¡°Would you like that, Iasis?¡±


    ¡°Yes. If it¡¯s not too much trouble.¡±


    ¡°Then it will be so.¡±


    A quiet moment hung in the air between them. All the emotions in the room had been exhausted and the souls bobbed in nothingness like a boat on a placid lake. Valon took a deep breath before rising and made his way to the door.


    ¡°Hungry? I¡¯ll bring us back some food.¡± It was a statement rather than a true query as the man promptly left. The entire room seemed to exhale its stress when Valon opened the door. A new normalcy began to settle over them.


    Patience reassured herself that Iasis was already caring for Valon¡¯s body, and was prepared to meet future challenges. The new second-born was eager and helpful, despite her initial resistance. Valon was in good hands, better than her own. Patience lay on the bed listlessly, but at peace. Her emotions over Valon now mollified, she could stop fretting and focus on her own skull. The girl reflected on her time with Anax.


    ¡°Patience ¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Will you tell me to forget about Valon?¡± the girl mumbled, curling up tighter. ¡°Are you going to assert your dominance again?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to apologize.¡± This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Patience lifted her head.


    ¡°After meeting Iasis ¡­ I realize ¡­¡± Anax wheezed, ¡°I could have been like her, sitting in a drawer somewhere. My first death could have been my one and only death.¡± He reached a tendril to the girl¡¯s chin. ¡°My second life is owed to you. I¡¯ve borrowed so much from you: your knowledge, your skills, the fire of life itself ¡­ I really am nothing without you.¡±


    Patience stiffened, not believing her ears.


    ¡°And you ¡­ you could have been like Valon, suffering from some disease I cannot conquer. Your life is precious. I¡¯m sorry for ever hurting you ¡­ in any way.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Anax,¡± Patience whispered.


    ¡°When you care for something so much, you want it all for yourself, but you end up pushing it away ¡­ or worse. I should have known the first time you put me back on ¡­ and all the other times you returned me to your crown.¡±


    As bull-headed as the skull could be, he did have occasional moments of clarity. And as much as Patience could detest the skull, her ill will was temporary. She still cared for him. When he first came into her life, she thought him a beast. While this remained true, he was so much more. An ache pulled her heart. She could not help but love Anax.


    ¡°As I said before, nothing can break our bond,¡± said the girl, meaning every word.


    ¡°Henceforth, I will try harder to respect your wishes.¡±


    ¡°Trying.¡± The girl chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s all I ask.¡± She reached both hands to grasp Anax¡¯s mandibles, blowing a puff of air up into his snout.


    Patience tucked her arms against her chest and nestled into the bedding. Her tired eyes grew heavy. But before sleep overcame her, a thought crossed her mind.


    ¡°You know ¡­ it¡¯s all right if you¡¯re a bit rough with me when we ¡­¡± She blushed.


    ¡°Y-you mean so?¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡± She smiled. ¡°Just be sure to let me enjoy my finish as well.¡± There was no denying the beast in Anax, but it could be trained.


    When Valon returned with lunch, he found Patience bundled in Anax¡¯s thick arms, napping on the bed. Patience stirred awake at the sound of the hunter¡¯s heavy boots.


    Valon grunted. ¡°I see you two have made up. Don¡¯t tell me you fucked on my bed.¡±


    ¡°We did not!¡± grumbled Patience as she sat up, Anax dissipating into a veil of mist. Valon chuckled as he set down an oyster pail and brown paper sack on the table. He popped open a bottle of lemonade that he had also bought. The succulent aroma of grease lured the girl over to join him.


    ¡°Valon, what did you mea¡ªOh, my!¡± Iasis squawked. Her eyes darted to the other pair in the room. ¡°You two?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± groaned Patience, desperately wishing to change the subject. ¡°We have, and we do.¡±


    ¡°Valon ¡­¡± Iasis whimpered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We will do no such thing,¡± he assured his skull. ¡°It¡¯s improper.¡± He shot a smirk at the girl as she scooted a chair up to the table.


    ¡°Can we please talk about something else?¡± Patience moaned, rolling her eyes. Valon did not retort that time.


    ¡°Did you enjoy seeing the outside?¡± Anax asked Iasis.


    ¡°Oh, yes! I saw lots of things! So many things!¡± she trilled. This distraction seemed to work. Iasis then proceeded to extensively list everything that managed to catch her attention during their brief excursion. While the two skulls chattered, the two humans saw to their meal.


    Valon opened the wax-lined paper container, releasing the scent of fried oysters. Patience reached in to grab one and was pleased to find it was still warm. The man then emptied the sack of its contents. Two wrapped sausage rolls tumbled onto the wooden surface. It was not an opulent meal, but it was delicious.


    After lunch Valon allowed Patience to return to his bed. All the events of the past few days finally bore down on her, and she could not help but find sleep as the only remedy. The hunter joined her, reclining at her side, his hands folded neatly over his belt. His head rested against the headboard, Iasis tapping the wood. The young skull fluffed the pillows supporting his back. Valon closed his eyes. Together Patience and Valon fell into a peaceful nap, cradled by Anax and Iasis.


    ¡°I miss them ¡­ my parents ¡­ my sister and brother ¡­¡±


    Patience roused, yet she did not move or open her eyes.


    ¡°The moment I died, I thought I was simply going unconscious from the pain. I thought I¡¯d wake next to my family, safe, and healing with mud on my wounds.¡±


    It was Iasis. It may have been rude, but Patience listened without letting them know she was awake. She did not want to interrupt.


    ¡°Is this a dream?¡± the smaller skull asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not, unfortunately,¡± came Anax¡¯s voice. He spoke gently, in soothing tones that he had used with Patience before.


    ¡°I miss them,¡± she repeated.


    ¡°You did not wake alone,¡± said Valon. The sound of his callused hands running along Iasis¡¯ snout reached the girl¡¯s ears. ¡°I will be with you until I die.¡±


    Patience thought of her own parents. They had raised her to become her own person, to take care of herself. But like many parents with daughters, they kept her in a glass cloche. She could view the world from a safe and protected place, and the outside was rarely allowed to touch her. Her appearance made her particularly susceptible to cruelty, so they nullified those chances as best they could, to preserve her. It was only under her own will that she dared to break free. The young yaszaha was not so lucky. Fate stripped her away from her shelter, from her first life.


    She felt sorry for Iasis. But she was glad the young skull had a life-donor as experienced as Valon. Patience hoped that he could guide her, much as she did with Anax. With Valon consoling the young skull, Patience took the opportunity to fully awaken.


    ¡°Valon,¡± Patience whispered.


    He leaned toward her, resting on his elbow. ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°How are you faring?¡±


    ¡°I already feel better,¡± he said, face softening.


    Patience smiled sadly. ¡°I hope I don¡¯t find Iasis on my doorstep for many years yet.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t plan on it.¡±


    As the hours dragged into the evening, Patience left for her room. It had been a draining day. If Iasis was to bond with Valon, it was only right to allow them privacy. Iasis would come to know him in ways Patience never would. She was happy to know Valon could have at least one close confidant.


    Patience dropped onto her bed. ¡°What was I even doing with him? Did I really think something would come of it?¡±


    ¡°You acted out of physical attraction. Can¡¯t help that,¡± Anax said. ¡°He¡¯s not a bad man.¡±


    She sighed.


    ¡°Patience ¡­¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°I forgot how nice it was to be in the company of another of my kind.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you can¡¯t find such company regularly,¡± she murmured.


    ¡°Not my point,¡± he said curtly but gently. ¡°I¡¯m beginning to accept your need to be with other humans ¡­¡±


    Patience¡¯s mind immediately flashed to Schuler and felt a tug at her heart.


    ¡°You are social creatures after all.¡±


    The words rolled around Patience¡¯s ears like stones in a quarry. The idea that humans needed others to live, practical points aside, was sound. As suited to solitude as she was, she had to admit that she enjoyed Valon¡¯s company, and of course cherished the familiarity she had with Schuler. Perhaps Anax was finally beginning to see that. Perhaps his grip around her was loosening. But something in that rumble led Patience to think Anax was not entirely convinced.


    The next morning, Valon walked with Patience to the train depot to purchase her ticket home. Patience considered it odd he carried his bag. But stranger yet was walking side by side with the man, a skull atop each of their heads. She smiled to herself, wondering if pedestrians thought them to be a family of witches.


    The clerk at the ticket booth was slightly taken aback at first. Patience surmised he was more unsettled by the hard glare Valon gave him in the end. The girl had readied her purse when Valon shoved it to the side, rousing a squeak from the clerk.


    ¡°I brought you here. I¡¯ll pay to return you home,¡± Valon stated.


    ¡°Th-thank you,¡± said Patience. Transaction completed, the hunter handed the girl her ticket. Patience stared at the piece of paper in her fingers. It confirmed her train would depart the next morning.


    As they walked away from the depot amid a throng of people, Patience could not help but feel a bit sad. Her time with Valon was drawing to a close. All she could do now was appreciate what little time they had left together. It felt surreal: beside her walked a changed man. Iasis gave him his answers, his comfort, and stripped away the hard shell he had grown. Patience would have liked to get acquainted with the new Valon, but alas.


    Without a focused direction, they eventually strolled along the empty docks. The foghorns of ocean liners bellowed on the horizon, hidden behind a diminishing blanket of mist. The morning light danced on the water.


    ¡°Where will you go now?¡± asked Patience quietly, glancing up at the man from behind Anax¡¯s snout.


    ¡°I¡¯ll head back home, to Shkipni. Even though my holiday never had a planned end date, I¡¯ve been here long enough. I¡¯ll find passage on the next ship bound for Eureba.¡± He raised his head toward the distance. Far down a pier, longshoremen loaded cargo onto a ship.


    Surprise struck Patience. She did not think he would mean to leave right now, but the realization sank in as she glanced at the packed bag slung over his shoulder.


    ¡°Ready, Iasis? It¡¯ll be a long voyage.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve always dreamed of seeing the ocean!¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ll get a lot of that.¡±


    ¡°If you ever come by my neck of the woods again ¡­¡± began Patience, lightly touching Valon¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Most likely not. I¡¯ll live out my days where I was born. I¡¯m done roaming in my old age.¡±


    ¡°Then I guess this is goodbye,¡± said Patience, quite unprepared to separate so soon.


    For the first time since she knew him, Valon gifted her a soft lingering look made all the more beautiful with pale gold sunlight. He stared beyond Anax¡¯s skull, reaching Patience¡¯s honey eyes deep within. He grasped her hand and pulled it up to his face. A silky kiss fell on her relaxed knuckles.


    ¡°Thank you, Patience Firmin. For everything.¡±


    Patience retracted her hand, the shock of his gentleness and weight of farewell slamming into her. Speechless she could only nod.


    ¡°You take care of her, Anax,¡± he said.


    ¡°Always,¡± said the skull. ¡°Be good to Iasis.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± said Valon, turning his back. He lifted a hand in the air, saluting a goodbye. Iasis extended the smallest of tendrils to wave. How unfortunate this otherwise beautiful morning had to be marred by their departure. Patience remained planted on the wooden planks as she watched the hunter with the skull on his crown stroll away until he disappeared from her life forever.

 (26) Fever

    Patience reflected on her time in New Amstel the entire train ride back to Haverston. She had woken up that morning with an ache in her scalp, and in her chest. Valon had gone as quickly as he appeared. He left in her care memories and a permanent sliver of a cut in her heart. He was a brief flash of lightning that had struck her, leaving her unharmed but subtly changed. She left New Amstel a little wiser, an inch more mature.


    The train chugged along, transporting her back to her normal life. Anax gingerly stroked the back of her neck. Her relationship with Anax mended, Patience now wondered how best to proceed with Schuler. The night before her departure, she had sent a telegram notifying him of her scheduled arrival on Monday. How he would react upon her return begged the largest question.


    It was possible he would take her out for supper like the first time he collected her from the station, and they would fall into that comfortable space of friendship. Yet it was also possible he would interrogate her with relentless questions about her time with Valon. She could either dance around the facts or tell him the entire truth. And there was the third possibility of him not being there for her at all.


    The sunlight faded over the horizon when they arrived in Haverston. Patience followed a couple of passengers exiting her car. Once they cleared her line of sight, she searched the platform. Electric lights buzzed aglow, but even with their aid, she could not spot Schuler. Her heart quickened as she gripped her carpetbag tighter.


    ¡°Patience!¡± came a voice.


    Patience whirled around. From the far end of the platform approached a figure. She squinted. ¡°Whit?¡±


    ¡°Patience!¡± called the man. As he drew nearer, she could see his boyish face wrought aghast with panic. Stopped a few feet away from her, he panted. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. You must be a little crestfallen to see me instead of Schuler, but ¡­¡± Whit gnawed his knuckle.


    ¡°Wh-what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure he would have loved to fetch you but¡ªSchuler¡¯s ill.¡±


    Patience¡¯s face paled.


    ¡°He¡¯s got a terrible fever¡ªHe¡¯s practically bedridden.¡±


    Her stomach churned.


    ¡°He stayed home for a couple days. Then I went to check on him after yesterday¡¯s show and he was much worse. We had to give him John¡¯s old chamber pot ¡­¡± Whit rambled.


    ¡°Whit!¡± shouted Patience, forcing him to refocus. ¡°Take me to him!¡±


    Whit nodded and waved her to follow him. He led her to a buggy pulled by a single horse parked at the front of the station. Patience climbed into the seat as Whit took her bag and placed it in the compartment behind them. He then hopped aboard and grabbed the reins.


    A hundred questions buzzed in Patience¡¯s mind, drowning out the sound of hooves on the road. She glanced at Whit, his face still twisted with worry. Normally a cheerful man, his features were grossly contorted. This was serious.


    ¡°Has a doctor seen him?¡± asked Patience.


    ¡°Yeah, we got Dr. Pasternak to make a house call. He prescribed some medicine and said bed rest was the most important thing.¡±


    The lit lamps and windows blurred into undefined shapes at the corner of Patience¡¯s eyes as they navigated the streets.


    ¡°Should he be taken to the hospital in Antimoire?¡±


    Whit wrinkled his mouth as they turned onto the road leading to Keaton. ¡°Doc says he might catch something worse there. Best to stay at home in his current condition.¡±


    Dusk consumed the land, the shadows encroaching ever faster around Patience. The bumps on the road could not jostle her any worse than her already thumping heart. While Whit had proven to be a good friend, Patience could not yet come to trust his evaluation. She needed to see Schuler for herself.


    The countryside eschewed itself from her vision. The fields and trees fled into darkness. Even the moon and stars hid behind a cover of clouds tonight. The world ran away from them, but it did not matter so long as Schuler remained on her mind. He was the only thing she wished to see right now.


    A lump formed in her throat once they entered Keaton. Whit took the quickest path to Schuler¡¯s apartment, disobeying the ban on vehicles of any sort in the town square. People jumped and cursed at his reckless driving, and he cursed back to shoo them from his path. The wild ride came to a stop as Whit pulled up to the side of the apartment building. He hitched his horse to a post while Patience collected her bag from the back. Together they hurried into the lobby and tore up the staircase.


    As soon as Whit opened the front door, Patience ran to the bedroom and fell to Schuler¡¯s side. She gasped. He was drenched in sweat, his skin nearly as light as the bedsheets surrounding him. A moist towel rested on his forehead. He shuddered in fitful sleep.


    ¡°Oh, Schuler, I¡¯m here now,¡± whispered Patience. She stroked his arm, fingers gliding through his sweat.


    Whit looked on from the doorway, ruffling his hair in concern. ¡°Sleep is about all he can do right now.¡±


    Patience swallowed. ¡°I¡¯ll see to him. You have a wife to get back to.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you can handle him by yourself?¡± asked Whit, tugging at his suspenders.


    Patience had plenty of experience. She nodded.


    ¡°Well, all right. He¡¯s to take a spoonful of medicine every four hours. Next round¡¯s at eleven.¡± He cocked his head to the glass bottle and spoon sitting on the nightstand next to the bed. ¡°And my wife made some chicken soup earlier before she felt unwell and headed home early. Oh¡ªshe¡¯s not sick, she¡¯s expecting, you see¡ªEr, the soup¡¯s on the stove. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to send for us, the Claibornes. I¡¯ve written down our address on a note in the kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Whit,¡± said the girl. ¡°And congratulations. Please send my regards to Clara.¡±


    ¡°Sure, sure.¡± Whit stood a moment before his feet creaked into motion. He left and closed the front door quietly behind him.


    In the silence of the apartment, Patience heard the blood rushing around her ears. Her heart pounded, a hammer against a chimney pipe. Her insides rang hollow in fear. She had to go to Mr. Wells¡¯ tomorrow. Patience knew this had something to do with what transpired at the witches¡¯ market. She only needed a response from Tandy to confirm.


    ¡°This just has to be connected to that thing I saw on his neck!¡± Patience seethed on her way to the kitchen. She filled a bowl with cool water as she silently thanked the indoor plumbing.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°That day Schuler fought the witch at the market. I saw a curious piece of paper on his neck as we left and he complained about a bite. It was gone before I could inspect further.¡± The girl returned to the bedroom, taking the towel from Schuler¡¯s head. ¡°And the next day, I sent a telegram to Tandy in St. Phocas asking about it. I¡¯m hoping she sent a response with some answers.¡±


    ¡°Maybe this has nothing to do with witchcraft,¡± Anax suggested.


    ¡°No, I know that thing is the cause.¡± She watched the towel drift in the bowl before wringing out the excess water. ¡°I can feel it in my gut.¡± Patience¡¯s voice began to waver. ¡°Schuler was fit and strong. He couldn¡¯t have fallen ill just like that.¡±


    ¡°He is getting older,¡± mumbled Anax.


    ¡°I needn¡¯t be reminded.¡± Patience¡¯s lips quivered, fist tightening around the towel. She smoothed back Schuler¡¯s hair before reapplying the damp cloth.


    ¡°Tandy will know. If she didn¡¯t, I¡¯m sure she had Heledd assist,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go to the general store first thing in the morning and see if Mr. Wells received any word on my behalf.¡±


    ¡°You should eat in the meantime.¡±


    Patience glimpsed the clock on the dresser. It would be a while before she had to give Schuler his medicine. Her eyes fell over the man¡¯s chest lightly falling and rising with each breath.


    ¡°Come now,¡± the skull gently goaded, a slim tendril nudging the small of Patience¡¯s back. The girl relented. It had been a while since her last bite of food.


    To Patience¡¯s relief, the night passed without incident. Mrs. Claiborne¡¯s soup was delicious, a bright spot in the darkness of uncertainty. The medicine went smoothly down Schuler¡¯s throat along with a bit of broth. He used the chamber pot, which Patience cleaned immediately in the bathroom. The man was even lucid enough to exchange a few words with Patience.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Patience ¡­ ¡®m glad Whit got ya ¡­¡± Schuler rasped.


    ¡°Yes, he¡¯s a good man.¡±


    ¡°Sorry I wasn¡¯t there ¡­¡±


    Patience shushed him. She stroked his hair, lulling him back asleep. She then stepped out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar to monitor Schuler¡¯s condition.


    ¡°Wake me in two hours, please,¡± yawned Patience as she curled up on the sofa in the parlor.


    ¡°Will do,¡± said Anax.


    Patience glanced at the gap in the doorway and uttered a prayer under her breath before falling asleep. She knew not what sort of deity or divine force it would reach, but hoped whatever was out there heard her.


    The next morning, she woke up weary. She rubbed her eyes, attempting to mash some energy into them. She had little time to recover during the night, her sleep interrupted by administering medicine and emptying the chamber pot. The girl sat up with a start and rushed to the bedroom, thinking Anax had failed to wake her for Schuler¡¯s next round of medicine. But the clock confirmed she was several minutes early. She sighed and began to evaluate Schuler¡¯s status.


    His eyes skittered underneath thin lids, deep in sleep. The man¡¯s breaths were shallow and he breathed through his mouth. Patience leaned in closer. There was a slight wheeze in his exhalations. His skin felt clammy. Concern washed over her face.


    Patience dutifully wiped his chest, arms, and face. She placed a fresh damp towel upon his head. As she readied another spoonful of medicine, the girl softly hummed the song Schuler played for her.


    ¡°Schuler ¡­¡± she whispered, ¡°it¡¯s time for your medicine.¡±


    The man did not stir.


    ¡°Schuler¡­¡± she repeated, gently shaking his pale arm. Her heart skipped a beat. ¡°Schuler!¡±


    At last his eyes peeled open into dark slits.


    ¡°Oh, Patience ¡­ You¡¯re here ¡­¡± he breathed, barely audible. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t pick you up from the station.¡±


    ¡°You said that last night,¡± said the girl, furrowing her brow.


    ¡°I did? I thought that was a dream ¡­¡±


    ¡°I-it¡¯s time for your medicine,¡± she said as she held up the spoon. He stared down at the utensil as if it were a foreign object. Patience guided it to his lips. He slurped, a few drops dribbling into the hairs on his chin. ¡°You need to drink and eat too.¡±


    ¡°Not ¡­ hungry ¡­¡± he wheezed.


    ¡°Schuler!¡± Patience started.


    ¡°At least drink water,¡± stated Anax. He picked up the tin cup Patience had filled last night and brought it in front of the man. He slurped and lapped up some of the offering. Seemingly exhausted from the activity, Schuler settled back into his pillows and shut his eyes. A sob nearly escaped Patience¡¯s throat.


    ***


    ¡°Patience, welcome back home,¡± greeted Mr. Wells.


    The girl breathlessly wove through the aisles of the general store. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Wells. Did you perchance receive a telegram for me?¡±


    ¡°Got this two days after you left,¡± said the man, taking a folded piece of paper from a drawer in his counter. He held it out for her.


    Patience rushed over, unfolding the message. She tilted Anax up on her crown to unobstruct her vision completely. Her eyes scanned the page over and over, rereading to be certain. A pained expression gripped her face.


    She mouthed the message, ¡°¡®Curse. Brings fever illness. Use normal treatments.¡¯¡±


    Her stomach dropped as her heart flew up to her throat. A curse. This was all the doing of Dorcas¡¯ nephew, she was sure of it. Though it was unknown whether she was the intended victim or if it was meant for Schuler all along. Patience¡¯s breathing grew heavier. A sheen of sweat coated her skin.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Wells,¡± she said again. She turned on her heel to leave.


    ¡°Is everything all right?¡± asked the man. Ned Wells hardly ever let emotion drip into his words, but right now his worry lined them thickly.


    ¡°I hope so,¡± mumbled Patience. She hurried off back to Schuler¡¯s apartment.


    ¡°A curse! Really?¡± Patience cried under Anax¡¯s snout. Tears pooled. Each heavy footfall dislodged a bead into the air.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be too dire, right? Or else Tandy would say more in her telegram,¡± said Anax.


    Patience sniffed. He had a point.


    ¡°By all accounts, it looks like any other fever. Tandy said to treat it normally.¡± Patience nodded, slowing down to a jog. She recaptured her breath lost to panic and exertion. There was nothing extraordinary about this fever. It was brought about in an extraordinary way, but it was an ordinary illness. Patience repeated this to herself all the way back to the apartment building.


    The girl stopped short of the lobby¡¯s front door. Her boot almost fell on the carcass of a recently hatched chick. Her head swiveled to the cypress trees looming by the building. They swayed ominously in the wind, one most likely the former home of the poor chick. Patience looked at the tiny thing again. The body was torn asunder, half-stripped. A flash of white bone peeked through stringy, grayed flesh peppered with ants.


    She thought of the delicate waif of a skeleton amid the decay. There was beauty in death, she had always believed. There was beauty after all the violence and suffering were shed. The geometry of a skeleton constructed by divine hands. The outward shell that could be mended and posed as a sculpture capturing a moment of a past life. She thought of her parents, Anax, Valon, Iasis, and Schuler. Patience wrinkled her nose and spat. What was there for humans in the end but a cold stone marker, some superficial hair art, or a crisp photograph if one was lucky. The girl stomped into the lobby. She refused to hand Schuler over to death.


    ¡°It¡¯s a regular fever. A bad one. But we will see it through,¡± Patience declared to herself while warming the last of Mrs. Claiborne¡¯s soup.


    As it heated, she tended to Schuler, dabbing his face. Holding a spoonful of medicine to his lips, she lightly pressed Schuler¡¯s jaw to ask it open. The medicine did not go down smoothly. Phlegm caught his throat and Patience had to draw the spoon away to let him cough. Once he settled, she administered the rest.


    ¡°Th-thanks,¡± breathed the man. He barely peeled his eyes open before shutting them again, his head lolling to the side.


    When it came time for the next dose, Patience held her breath. Anax pressured Schuler into taking another sip from the cup, physically pulling up his lip and tilting his head back to induce swallowing. The girl was unsure if the man was even aware. She was grateful for Anax¡¯s help.


    The next dosage went down even more roughly. Schuler¡¯s eyes remained closed and he did not even possess the strength to lift his head unaided. Patience whimpered, fraught with anguish. She knelt beside the bed.


    ¡°This is my fault! If I hadn¡¯t been so stupid as to go near the totem, that witch would never have sent this curse!¡± Patience sobbed.


    Anax dabbed her eyes with soft tendrils. ¡°The curse was not laid by your hands.¡±


    ¡°It might as well have been,¡± she seethed. Her hands balled into fists, pressing into the mattress.


    ¡°Can¡¯t the witch be prosecuted for this?¡± asked Anax, trying to get Patience¡¯s mind elsewhere.


    ¡°Curses can be classified as fineable offenses to felonies depending on their severity, but good luck tracing it back to the caster,¡± she explained.


    It was nigh impossible for dryblood authorities to trace curses. Witches had their ways of course, but it was expensive and only reserved for more severe cases that resulted in permanent damage or death. Patience prayed that Schuler¡¯s case would not fall into the latter. She looked at the man once again, trying to will him into a picture of his former self with her mind alone. Defeated for the night, Patience wearily shuffled to the sofa to sleep.


    The next morning revealed Schuler¡¯s condition to be no better than the night before. Patience inspected the large bottle of medicine, wondering just how much of it would disappear down his throat before any results manifested. She bit her lip. There was no more chicken soup left in the kitchen. She would have to go for groceries. After Schuler¡¯s next dose, the girl set out.


    The Firmins never frequented the grocer¡¯s, as all the greens and fresh goods they needed were produced at home. Home. Patience dearly hoped the chickens could find enough to eat. She wished she had the ability to leave Schuler¡¯s side for a few hours, but she could not bring herself to neglect him.


    Patience felt like a foreigner stepping foot onto a new shore once she entered the store. In her rush, the girl nearly bumped into the cases of milk by the grocer¡¯s door. The jingling of bottles called the owner¡¯s attention to her. Patience winced and proceeded to an aisle of vegetables.


    The bins of produce sat in a colorful array in the center of the store, but the cheerful palette did little for Patience¡¯s mood. She sorted through the vegetables, placing those in acceptable condition into a sack she had found in Schuler¡¯s pantry.


    ¡°Patience! I heard you¡¯re looking after Mr. Schuler.¡±


    The girl startled. Her eyes darted to meet the kind face of Mrs. Laurence. ¡°Ah, hello, Mrs. Laurence. Yes I am,¡± said Patience, ceasing her examination of a tomato.


    ¡°Bless your heart, dear.¡± The woman picked up two perfect tomatoes and offered them to Patience. She thanked her. ¡°Word does get around quickly here in Keaton,¡± sighed the woman. ¡°Please, Patience. If you need any help, do not hesitate to ask.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Mrs. Laurence. It¡¯s really nothing.¡± Patience dipped her head, lips pursing. ¡°After all, I took care of my p¡ª¡± her voice hitched. She could not bring herself to speak anymore.


    ¡°You poor sweet thing!¡± Mrs. Laurence croaked. She swept Patience into a hug, much to the girl¡¯s surprise. There was comfort in her arms, a maternal comfort she had not felt in a long time. Any will to resist melted away. Instead Patience flung her arms around the woman¡¯s back, squeezing her tightly through her corset. She was thankful Anax was present to obscure the tears beading around her eyes.


    After a quiet moment, Patience broke away from the woman, sniffling. Mrs. Laurence shot her a warm smile and placed a hand on the girl¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Really though, if you need anyone to assist, to look after your place, or at the very least check up on it ¡­¡±


    Patience cleared her throat. ¡°I ¡­ suppose I am worried about the chickens.¡±


    ¡°Henry and I will go this afternoon,¡± said the woman. ¡°We¡¯ll feed and water them, your garden too.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much.¡±


    Mrs. Laurence then helped Patience grab a few more items. After a short argument, the dressmaker covered all of the girl¡¯s purchases. She would not hear any of Patience¡¯s protests and even paid a boy on the street a nickel to assist Patience in carrying the groceries back to the apartment. Stunned by her kindness, Patience fell into silence.


    ¡°What a kind woman,¡± Anax remarked as they unlocked the front door, the boy long-gone down the stairs.


    Patience hefted the groceries into the kitchen. ¡°She is. Mrs. Laurence is wonderful.¡± She unloaded a few tomatoes, intending to dice them. Suddenly a tear came to her eye. An overwhelming sense of gratitude filled her chest. The girl sniffed and began preparing to cook.

 (27) Life-Donor

    Patience watched the liquid in the dark amber bottle dip lower and lower with each dose. It was a new day, but the man sprawled on the bed remained in the same condition as the night before. He did not speak anymore. He could barely sit on the edge of the bed to relieve himself into the chamberpot without swaying. Worry seeped into every fiber of the girl¡¯s body.


    As Schuler rested between doses and cleanings, Patience took to meandering about his apartment, hoping to distract herself. She found a life all neatly contained within this small space. Most of the objects the man owned were collected from his tour. Only a few mementos from a time before moving to Keaton were present among them.


    Scanning over a shelf in the parlor, her eyes stopped on a photograph of Schuler and his brother. He appeared about twenty years younger, close to Patience¡¯s current age. The two men posed in front of a nondescript building, Schuler leaning against the siding, Albert standing tall over his brother. Patience wondered if this place was their home or a business they frequented. Schuler had grown up in a city hundreds of miles northwest of Antimoire. Whatever drew him down here to Keaton was unknown to Patience. She would have to ask him once he was well again.


    Beyond the windowpanes in the parlor, the sky darkened with thick clouds. Patience lit a lamp and heated some soup to occupy her time. The apartment felt cold without Schuler¡¯s lively presence. She attempted to strike up a conversation with Anax, but her heart was not committed. The skull understood and kept his distance. Waiting to administer the next dose of medicine, the girl ate her vegetable soup in the kitchen, feeling each second pass by in agony with every sip. Droplets of rain began striking the windows.


    With the time approaching, Patience nervously stepped into Schuler¡¯s room. As she feared, he looked the same as he did a few doses ago. Scurrying to change the bowl of water and cup on his nightstand, the girl¡¯s heart started to race. With another spoonful choked down, Schuler¡¯s head dipped to the side, strands of hair sliding over his brow. Patience gently brushed them back. As she withdrew, her fingers caressed the man¡¯s face, lingering on his chin. The faintest whisper of a breath billowed onto the top of her hand.


    The lines across Patience¡¯s brow deepened with concern. ¡°Sh-should we take him to the doctor in Haverston?¡±


    ¡°Not in this weather,¡± said Anax.


    A cypress rattling against the window drew the girl¡¯s attention. The wind whipped and howled between the buildings. Sheets of rain blurred the dimming view outside. Patience¡¯s hope snuffed out. They would have trouble navigating through the storm in the dark. The cold and water would only be a detriment to the ailing man and pneumonia was a dangerous risk. Her eyes slid to the amber bottle. Just a few more doses glazed the bottom.


    Memories of sitting beside her diminishing parents flooded her mind. This was what she wanted to avoid. This was the reason she refused Schuler in the first place. A fist traveled up to knead her tired eyes. Pale in the amber light of the lamp, the man appeared to be within inches of death. Patience shrank away from the bed, sinking her back into the shadows. It was happening all over again.


    Though unlike her parents¡¯ decline, this was her doing. She was the one to bring a miasma of illness and death to Schuler. It was her foolishness that summoned this curse, and yet it was her friend who was punished. She had unwittingly been the instrument of her own nightmare.


    The girl wheezed a cry through her throat. ¡°He suffers due to my actions. I am nothing but a stupid girl.¡±


    The walls of her heart began to close. She steeled herself. It was true she had lost her innocence long ago when she watched the life wane from her parents and extinguish. The lamp flickered, illuminating the unpleasant truths lying before her. No longer able to look at Schuler, Patience turned her face away. She curled up on the plush bench at the foot of the bed.


    ¡°You¡¯re not a stupid girl,¡± said Anax.


    She scowled. ¡°I am!¡± Catching her volume, Patience lowered her voice. ¡°I¡¯ve made mistakes before, but this one ¡­ if Schuler dies ¡­ I won¡¯t ever forgive myself.¡±


    She formed a fist and slammed it down on her thigh. This was all wrong. She should be the only one to bear the burden of her follies. She was prepared for that. But life never drew neat roadmaps. Despite the fond memories born from the past weeks, perhaps the greatest mistake was leaving the mundanity of her routine. Schuler would have been fine if she stayed home and kept away from him. Screwing her eyes shut, Patience chanted a mantra of isolation and emotional detachment in her head. Distance. Distance could prevent many wounds.


    Anax spoke, his words pulling her up from the depths. ¡°Take me off.¡±


    ¡°Wh-what?¡±


    ¡°Take me off and put me on Schuler.¡±


    Speechless, Patience mouthed the skull¡¯s name.


    ¡°You have an amazing capacity for compassion,¡± said Anax. He lifted a tendril to her chin. ¡°Perhaps I should attempt to match it.¡±


    The breath escaped her lungs.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been a good teacher. It¡¯s time I abide by your lessons.¡±


    Patience¡¯s eyes glistened. The moment lingered in her mind before the full weight of Anax¡¯s words throttled her heart. Joy burst within her, releasing a new flood of tears. She blubbered her gratitude as she rose from the bench.


    Bedside, Anax grunted for her to proceed. Patience lifted the skull off her head and gently moved Schuler¡¯s sweaty crown to place Anax. The skull settled on the new scalp propped up by pillows. The girl inhaled. Her eyes glossed over the musician and watched his chest lightly rise and fall.


    ¡°A-Anax? Are you there?¡± Patience breathed.


    A familiar orb sparked at last.


    ¡°I¡¯m here. His head is very muddled. He¡¯s in a stupor.¡± A wave of mist washed over Schuler¡¯s entire body. ¡°I¡¯m certain I can see him through this illness. Perhaps even expedite his healing.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± A smile graced the girl¡¯s lips. ¡°Thank you ¡­¡± she repeated.


    ¡°Just allow me some time. And keep feeding him broth. I¡¯ll need his strength.¡±


    Patience immediately leapt toward the kitchen to fetch a bowl.


    ¡°Hm, now I know what your face looks like.¡±


    She paused at the foot of the bed. It occurred to her that this was the first time Anax had seen her face unobstructed by his own skull. She also realized this was the first time she heard Anax¡¯s voice away from her head. It rang more hollow, but it still was his voice. The girl flashed him a smile before disappearing to the kitchen.


    The night swept its silky, black veil over Keaton as the storm continued to lash the town. Patience had finished her supper hours ago, a meager sandwich for her meager appetite. She had settled on the plush bench and attempted to read. The book she chose from Schuler¡¯s modest collection was about a man selling his soul in exchange for immortality, but Patience hardly paid attention to the story. With every paragraph read, her eyes would drift to Schuler, searching for any sign of improvement. The hours dragged on.


    The girl kneeled against the bed for a closer view of the man. She rested her head on her folded arms atop the sheets. The darkness surrounded them, only kept at bay by the lone lamp on the nightstand.


    ¡°You should sleep,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have time for that later,¡± Patience muttered, ¡°I need to know Schuler is all right.¡±


    ¡°He is.¡±


    ¡°I want to be here when he wakes.¡±


    ¡°I can alert you when he does.¡±


    ¡°Allow me a few more minutes,¡± said Patience.


    Anax sighed and extended a tendril to Patience. It split into multiple ends and commenced stroking her hair. She tilted her head toward the soothing touch. Her eyelids fell to the same pace as each pass of the smoky comb. Before long they closed completely. With responsibilities unloaded from her shoulders, it was safe to slumber, to shut oneself away from the realities of the world, to feel nothing for a while. The darkness was comforting.


    ¡°Patience ¡­¡± came Anax¡¯s voice.


    She buried her head into the sheet.


    ¡°Patience ¡­¡± repeated the skull.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    A single tendril wound its way around Patience¡¯s fist and guided it across the sheets. It set her palm over Schuler¡¯s hand. The tingling of free-flowing blood masked the sensation at first. Once her circulation was in order, she felt it. Patience lifted her head. Schuler¡¯s fingers twitched as he began to stir awake. Patience straightened herself, shifting on sore knees and prickling calves. She leaned in to see Schuler¡¯s eyes peel open under the shade of Anax¡¯s temple. A wide smile broke across her face with budding tears.


    ¡°Mm, Patience?¡± Schuler whispered.


    ¡°Yes! I¡¯m here!¡± she croaked.


    ¡°Wh-what¡¯s on my face?¡±


    ¡°I am,¡± said Anax.


    Schuler shuffled his shoulders in an attempt to shimmy himself up before Patience pressed him back down.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. I put him on you to help you recover.¡±


    ¡°H-he can do that? I¡ªthank you, both of you,¡± wheezed the man. Patience proffered him a cup of water, which he gulped down with the assistance of Anax¡¯s tendrils. Schuler thanked them again with his frail voice.


    ¡°A-are you hungry? I can warm up some vegetable soup,¡± offered Patience. The musician nodded weakly. She sprang to her feet and rushed to the kitchen. On her way, she noticed the storm had passed, leaving a light drizzle.


    Despite her exhaustion, Patience saw to Schuler¡¯s needs through the night. She fed him, wiped him with a damp cloth, emptied and cleaned the chamber pot, all tasks she had carried out before years ago. However, there was no futility in her labor this time. With each passing hour, Schuler inched closer to recovery. Still, Patience hardened her heart.


    For the first time since they returned to Keaton, Schuler¡¯s sleep was peaceful. His sweating had abated and he took full breaths. The girl smiled warmly and left the bedroom to finally rest on the sofa, falling asleep to the dawn chorus chirping outside.


    ***


    The morning nearly passed before Patience awoke with a start. Worried she had left Schuler stranded in need, she ran to his room. Her worries quelled when she found Schuler sitting up, drinking from the cup of water they kept by his side. He was talking with Anax, most likely asking all the same questions she had prodded the skull with over the course of their rapport. They silenced when she stopped at the doorjamb.


    ¡°D-did you need anything, Schuler?¡± Patience asked as she smoothed her tousled hair.


    He shook his head and said softly, ¡°Naw. You took care of everything already last night. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll need anything for a while.¡±


    Patience rubbed her eyes. eyes, realizing that it had been hours since she last looked at the clock. She estimated Schuler must have woken long after midnight. As she shuffled to the kitchen to brew a pot of tea and prepare breakfast, a murmur of quiet conversation drifted through the open bedroom door.


    Waiting for the tea to steep and porridge to bubble, Patience continued to look through Schuler¡¯s artifacts on his shelves. She was so entranced, she nearly jumped when a lumbering body walked out from the bedroom with Schuler encased inside. The creature took the man into the bathroom. Seeing the ambulatory form of Anax separate from herself was unsettling, to say the least. But the girl was glad the skull was so helpful.


    Patience was retrieving a jar of honey from a cupboard when she heard a rasp of a voice. At first she thought it was Anax, and walked to the archway to see what he needed. But she realized it was Schuler trying to speak through his phlegm. She smiled patiently at him.


    ¡°Y-you won¡¯t get sick from me, will you?¡± asked the man stopped outside his bedroom door.


    ¡°So long as I¡¯m passed to her,¡± Anax interjected. ¡°If I¡¯m exchanged between you two, I can help one recover and the other resist illness.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± said Schuler with a nod, ¡°good, good.¡± He was still a bit delirious, his gaze unfocused. The two returned to bed, leaving Patience with a crooked smile. She soon followed them with cups of honey tea and two warm bowls of porridge.


    The daylight painted a glowing veneer of vitality over the man with Anax on his crown. It cut through that sick miasma. Patience hoped it to be a sign of things to come. He was weak, but his voice found its footing and seemed less distant. Anax remained silent, concentrating on healing the man¡¯s body. Strong enough to feed himself at the very least, Schuler slowly downed his meal.


    ¡°Is it any good?¡± asked Patience. ¡°I had to make it quickly and didn¡¯t let it simmer for long.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect,¡± Schuler hummed before another spoonful.


    The girl brightened when she saw he had strength enough to chew the small chunks of bacon in his bowl. Last night he could barely mash the soft bits of carrot in the vegetable broth.


    ¡°You know you don¡¯t have to waste your time on an old coot like me,¡± wheezed Schuler.


    ¡°Who else is there to care for you? Whit?¡± Patience joked. ¡°You¡¯re not a waste of time. Not to me.¡± Her teeth flashed through a smile. ¡°But I¡¯m not denying you¡¯re an old coot.¡±


    They chuckled.


    Hearing his laugh reassured Patience more than she thought it would. Without much else to say, the pair fell into a relaxed silence. It was comfortable, being in his company again. Even more encouraging, Schuler had enough appetite for another bowl of porridge, which Patience gladly served him. Schuler then gulped down some tea before drifting off to sleep. No longer did he have to breathe through his mouth, although there was a slight whistle coming through his nose.


    ¡°How is he now?¡± Patience quietly inquired from her seat on the bench.


    ¡°Much better,¡± Anax murmured. He extended a small tendril to wipe a spot of porridge away from the sleeping man¡¯s chin.


    ¡°Thank you so much, again,¡± she said as she reached out a hand.


    Anax¡¯s eye trained upon the girl. His tendril crept down and wove between her fingers. ¡°You know,¡± the skull began, ¡°he¡¯s ¡­ very happy you¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°Do you know the depth of it, though?¡± his voice crackled. ¡°I felt it in you before. It¡¯s akin to that day we left the spring festival.¡±


    The feeling of not being alone anymore. Patience recalled the sensation of a full heart when she had realized Anax was there for her. At the foot of the bed, she had a complete view of Schuler and Anax. The skull gazed directly into her eyes.


    ¡°I ¡­¡± Patience breathed and corrected herself, ¡°thank you for telling me this.¡± She got up to take the empty dishes to the kitchen.


    For the rest of the afternoon, Patience busied herself cleaning up around the space. The remnants of the vegetable soup went into a sauce for pasta, along with the rest of the bacon. The aroma of herbs wafted through the apartment. By the time supper was ready Schuler had woken.


    ¡°Smells good,¡± he said meekly as Anax took him to the bathroom again.


    Still slightly perturbed by the sight, Patience could only nod and smile. While the pasta boiled, a knock came from the front door. Startled, Patience staggered out of the kitchen. She opened the door to reveal Ned Wells.


    ¡°Oh! Hello Mr. Wells,¡± Patience greeted the elder man.


    ¡°Good day, Miss Firmin.¡± He handed over an open box of various canned items. ¡°Here. Figured quick meals were in store if you have to help Mr. Schuler. Mrs. Laurence told me what¡¯s been going on.¡±


    ¡°Th-thank you so much!¡±


    ¡°Cliff¡¯s taking turns with her seeing after your garden and chickens,¡± he informed her.


    Patience smiled. If Cliff Wells was over at her place, her chickens were in excellent hands. ¡°Please give him my thanks,¡± said the girl.


    ¡°Is that Ned Wells I hear?¡± Schuler feebly called from the bathroom.


    ¡°That¡¯d be me!¡± Mr. Wells whooped back.


    ¡°Would you like to come in?¡± Patience asked.


    He shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m an old man. I can¡¯t risk catching whatever he¡¯s got!¡± he said loudly for Schuler to hear as well.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get better in no time and soon you¡¯ll see me at your store with a bottle of whiskey to share!¡± Schuler shouted through his phlegm.


    Patience rolled her eyes. ¡°He really should not strain himself like that.¡±


    Mr. Wells chortled. ¡°He¡¯ll get over it.¡± He sighed. ¡°Well, I ought to get home. The wife will scold me if I make her wait too long and dinner gets cold. I¡¯ll be seeing you!¡± He nodded at Patience and took his leave.


    ***


    Schuler ate his meal that night with even more strength and appetite than earlier. Patience even surrendered some of her portion to him. She encouraged him to eat his fill. Even if they finished all her previously bought groceries, Mr. Wells¡¯ gift would see them through a couple more days.


    ¡°Thanks again, Patience. I know it¡¯s hard leaving your house for so long. If you haven¡¯t already, you¡¯re more than welcome to make yourself at home here,¡± said Schuler.


    ¡°I appreciate that, thank you.¡± Patience thought back to the photograph of him and his brother that she came across. ¡°You¡¯re originally from Sylvania, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Pittsbera, born and raised.¡±


    ¡°What drew you to these parts?¡±


    ¡°Knew some folks that settled around here. They had good labor opportunities for me, even hired me to play for some of their personal events.¡± He set his finished bowl on the nightstand and took a large gulp of tea. Over the rim of the cup, he studied Patience. ¡°But honestly? Work aside, it was a woman that led me here.¡±


    She bristled. Schuler rarely ever mentioned his past sweethearts.


    ¡°She was born to a good family. And I chased her when they relocated. But things don¡¯t always turn out as planned.¡± He patted the sheet over his chest. ¡°Still, I¡¯m glad I came. Met some great people.¡±


    Patience smiled, dabbing a fresh cloth to his neck. ¡°Well, I¡¯m also glad you came.¡±


    Memories of the day Schuler proposed dripped into her head. It had seized Patience by surprise. Never had she thought anyone would wish to marry her. But as she gazed upon Schuler¡¯s grinning face, the faint wrinkles around his eyes grew to echo those of her parents. She saw her parents¡¯ faces. Weathered, beaten by age, disintegrating from illness. Patience declined to fall into the same trap of love and loss.


    Now as her eyes traced over the man, Patience failed to suppress a sense of warmth and comfort in her chest. Schuler returned a blithe look he was known to sport. Denying further engrossment, Patience stood and reset her focus. Once certain Schuler was wanting for nothing more at the moment, she left to wash the dishes. When she returned, she found him with his head soundly resting against the pillows.


    ¡°Schuler¡¯s asleep, right?¡± whispered Patience, sitting back on the bench.


    ¡°Deep sleep. He¡¯s already dreaming.¡±


    ¡°Then we can speak, just the two of us.¡± Patience paused and fiddled with her fingers. ¡°Anax, you know I care for you immensely.¡± A long sigh escaped from the depths of her lungs. ¡°I ¡­ I hope you don¡¯t think I care any less for you while I¡¯m doing all this for Schuler.¡±


    The skull grunted.


    The girl turned to gaze at him head-on. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have done so much¡ªI wouldn¡¯t be who I am now without you.¡±


    ¡°You care deeply for this man,¡± said the skull.


    ¡°I care just as much for you,¡± Patience added, stretching toward them. Her front hit the sheets with a soft rustle as she rested on her elbows.


    ¡°It is because of you that I am helping him.¡±


    ¡°I know, thank you.¡± She breathed haltingly. ¡°It means ¡­ everything to me.¡± A tear formed. ¡°Truly it does.¡± The man was a friend. A true friend. Only a friend. Her breath shuddered. Anax extended a soft tendril to dab at her eye. The beaded tear set like a gem in his coil. Patience dipped her head. She scuttled back and left the bedroom to retire to the sofa.

 (28) Bedmates

    The next morning saw Schuler even more spirited. Anax noted that his fever was breaking, but some phlegm still coated the man¡¯s throat. Despite the circumstances, Patience thoroughly enjoyed being in Schuler¡¯s domestic company. Every stolen glance at him filled her a bit more with hope. After a light lunch of beans and greens, Schuler settled in for a nap. Patience hovered, making sure all his needs were met.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Patience,¡± the man said, a wry smile peeking under the skeletal helm. He brushed the quilt over his navel. The light streaming through the window graced the bare skin of his chest, illuminating it like alabaster.


    Against the white sheets, Schuler appeared as a classical sculpture. A pang of guilt tore Patience¡¯s gut. It was her fault he was cursed in the first place. He could have died. This current image of serenity could have been just a dream. She choked back burgeoning tears.


    ¡°Hey ¡­ hey, come here,¡± murmured Schuler, motioning to the spot beside him. ¡°It¡¯s all right.¡±


    Patience crept atop the covers.


    ¡°I¡¯m all right.¡±


    She slumped into his outstretched arm.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done so much for me,¡± he cooed. ¡°Lay down and rest.¡±


    Patience obliged, settling into the crook of his elbow. Schuler gently touched his hand to her back. Her gaze shifted upward to see Anax¡¯s iridescence gleaming. Below the skull, Schuler smiled warmly at her before closing his eyes to sleep. Surrounded by warmth from the sun, from the bedding, from Schuler¡¯s body, the girl snuggled into the sheet. She gently rested her cheek against the man¡¯s arm as a nap befell her.


    The room was a rosy peach when the girl awoke to the rustling of bedcovers. Having rolled away from Schuler in her slumber, she lifted her head in bewilderment. They had slept through most of the afternoon. Schuler freed himself from the bedding and stood, without Anax¡¯s aid. Patience startled upright.


    ¡°Schuler¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thought I¡¯d draw a bath,¡± he creaked as he stood. Bringing a hand over his mouth, he coughed to loosen some phlegm.


    ¡°Should Anax be helping?¡±


    ¡°He said he can handle it,¡± Anax interjected.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help, then,¡± declared the girl. She swung her legs over the bed, planting her feet on the floor.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be f¡ª¡± Schuler wavered as he took his first step. Patience reached out a hand to steady him and rose to stand by his side. ¡°Just a little groggy from the nap.¡±


    Refusing to hear any excuses, she guided him to the bathroom. The bath¡¯s knobs twisted with a squeaking protest. As the water flowed, Patience sat on the rim of the tub, searching the shelf for packaged soap and shampoo among a collection of toiletries. She did not even realize Schuler had removed his drawers until the water splashed behind her. Her face flushed.


    Even though she had seen much of his form as she washed his skin in bed, he still had on his underwear. Now he was completely nude. Patience slowly extracted the soap and shampoo from the shelf, prolonging the time before she would have to face him.


    ¡°Anax, can I take you off? I¡¯d like to wash my head,¡± said Schuler.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Anax grunted.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take him!¡± volunteered Patience. Anything to hide her embarrassment. Refusing to turn around, she cranked her arm behind her to receive the skull.


    Anax graced Patience¡¯s head as she bathed Schuler. The man limply sat back in the bathtub. She scrubbed at his scalp, washing away layers of sweat from his hair. Anax assisted in holding up his arms as she rubbed his skin with soap.


    ¡°I¡¯ve dreamt of being bathed by lovely women before,¡± Schuler sighed with a chuckle.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry your reality falls short of that,¡± snickered Patience.


    ¡°I¡¯ll still take it.¡±


    Anax slid a slimy tendril under the man¡¯s armpit. His body folded in a spasm, splashing water onto the girl and skull.


    ¡°Sorry!¡± seethed Schuler, ¡°I can¡¯t stand being tickled!¡±


    ¡°Oh, good. He has strength enough to react,¡± Anax mused, surreptitiously sliding another tendril to the other armpit. Schuler jerked again.


    ¡°Stop it, Anax! We¡¯re washing him, not us!¡± Patience admonished. The man in the tub burst out laughing and Patience could not help but giggle as well. Without thinking she brought a hand up to Schuler¡¯s cheek as the final rumbles of laughter abated. He rolled his head into her caress and met her gaze under dark brows.


    He seemed to have aged years over the course of a week. The lines of his face carved deeper. His eyes sank into deep depressions of waxy skin. The silver in his locks shone brighter wet. Disheveled and wiry, the hairs of his mustache and chin grew long. Grizzled stubble raked her palm. And yet, he was beautiful to her.


    ¡°I should probably shave and trim later,¡± he commented, ¡°I bet I look a mess.¡±


    ¡°A few snips here and there and you¡¯re thoroughly presentable,¡± said the girl, patting his cheek before lathering up more soap.


    When the time came to clean below the belt, Schuler insisted he do it himself. ¡°I don¡¯t want to risk embarrassing myself,¡± he said.


    ¡°I could do it,¡± Anax flatly offered.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather you didn¡¯t.¡± Schuler reeled, imagining the tickling he could receive from the creature. ¡°Go on and rest. I can finish up here myself.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± asked Patience.


    Schuler nodded, sliding into the bathwater. The color had returned to his face. ¡°I¡¯m feeling a lot better, thanks to your care, and Anax. This bath¡¯s washed away much of my fatigue too.¡±


    Patience smiled and left to let the man soak and relax. She realized she had worn her braid for days now. Setting Anax on the nightstand, she let loose her hair. Her fingers combed through the oily tresses. The strands still carried a hint of fragrant soap from the hotel in New Amstel. Her mind drifted to Valon. She pictured him in the middle of the ocean aboard a large ship, Iasis gleefully watching a whale breach in the distance. It was a pleasant image. She accepted it as truth.


    Lying on Schuler¡¯s side of the bed, she nuzzled into his scent mixing with that of her hair flowing down her neck. Sleep had almost claimed the girl, but the slap of feet called her attention to the bedroom entrance. Schuler leaned against the doorjamb. He had only a towel wrapped around his waist.


    ¡°I feel as though I¡¯m having a fever dream,¡± said Schuler, smoothing his wet hair over his scalp.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t lying about feeling better, were you?¡± Patience asked with a start.


    ¡°No! I meant I still can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here ¡­ and in my bed, no less.¡±


    She teased, ¡°Surely the extent of your dreams reach beyond me just sitting here.¡±


    ¡°Would you like to find out?¡± he drawled, leaning against the doorjamb, a slim yet toned arm bracing his lithe body. A few wet strands of hair fell over his wry grin.


    Patience flushed. ¡°Schuler! But you¡¯re still weak!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say I feel weak right now.¡± He smirked. ¡°How about it, Patience?¡± A slight bump in his draped towel affirmed that he was not teasing. ¡°Come now, we can fool around, relationship or not.¡±


    Her eyes traveled from his hips up to his face. The better half of her brain flashed a warning. This could completely change the dynamic they had, the dynamic she was comfortable keeping. But admittedly she was curious. Deep down she had wanted this for a while.


    Patience coughed. ¡°Are you certain, Schuler?¡±


    Looking her straight in the eye, he tugged to readjust himself. ¡°If you¡¯ll have me.¡±


    Her mind flashed to two days ago when Schuler appeared to be on death¡¯s doorstep. He was better now. They were on good terms. Her heart tugged her to act before the moment slipped away. Patience swallowed, and nodded.


    The man sauntered to the foot of the bed. He leaned over and reached his hands up to Patience¡¯s waist. His fingers found hold of her pants and drawers, and began to slowly slip them from her body. They landed upon the floor, abandoned. He then removed his towel, exposing his nodding length. Her nerves sizzled.


    Schuler clambered over her legs, running his hands up her thighs. A lascivious tongue escaped his mouth, laving the crest of her hipbone. Patience quivered. As he worked his way up, he removed her top clothes as well. Once free from the trappings of cloth and thread, she surrendered to him. Settling on her chest, Schuler brought his mouth around her nipple and sucked. She let out a soft moan.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    As he licked and played with her breasts, Patience carded her fingers through Schuler¡¯s hair. The man flicked his gaze up at her, his hungry stare curtained by strands of wet tresses. A deep blush blossomed over Patience¡¯s face as a heat bloomed between her legs.


    ¡°Hm, may I?¡± asked the man, gliding his hand down to her mound.


    Patience nodded. His cock twitched against her leg.


    Schuler¡¯s fingers crept toward her gap, stopping short of entering. He gently stroked her folds, teasing out warm slicks. Patience closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Schuler¡¯s neck, holding his head against her chest. As he resumed sucking and nipping, his fingers moved faster. Patience¡¯s breaths quickened while her hips rolled up to his hand. He feathered kisses down her stomach, but as his need grew they became more deliberate and sharp.


    Just as she was losing herself to his touch, Patience noticed he ceased all action as he left entirely. Bereft of his presence, the cold air washed over her, causing her skin to prickle. Her eyes blinked open to see Schuler standing at the foot of the bed. A lustful smirk passed over his lips before he grabbed her ankles. With a surprising amount of strength, he pulled her to the edge. Her bottom rested on the plush bench, her back on the fluffy bed.


    Enthralled at first, Patience stifled a giggle. Schuler towered over her, taking in her supine form. He could see everything in the blaze of the sun¡¯s dying light. Suddenly Patience felt exposed. Weak. Vulnerable. Her smile waned. A hand drifted up to cover her scalp while her face scrunched in an attempt to hold back nascent tears.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Patience?¡± asked Schuler, concern coloring his face.


    Refusing to meet his gaze, her hand spread over stinging eyes. ¡°W-wouldn¡¯t you rather lay with someone prettier?¡± she croaked.


    Schuler chuckled and fell onto the bed. He stroked her jaw, bringing her face to his. Her hand fell away as he locked eyes with her. ¡°This burn made you who you are. The strength you grew to deal with it, overcome it. You wouldn¡¯t be you without it.¡±


    He kissed her tenderly. His lips were hot and chapped from illness, but it did not diminish Patience¡¯s first kiss with him. It was gentle, restrained, and pleasant.


    ¡°And right now ¡­¡± A smile beamed under his mustache. ¡°I.¡± His hand ran down her neck. ¡°Want.¡± Fingers traced a clavicle. ¡°You.¡±


    Patience broke into a ridiculous grin. Schuler lifted her hair and curled the length over her chest. The ends tickled her collarbone. She leaned in for another kiss, which he accepted in earnest. His black and silver tresses cascaded over her own deep umber locks.


    Springing back, he cleared his throat. ¡°Allow me to prove it.¡± His hands gripped her ankles again and pulled Patience right up to his torso. She flushed as she gingerly folded her legs around his waist. His cock slid against her gap. Without hesitation Schuler inserted himself.


    The thrusts came hot and rough. The energy radiating from Schuler seemed unnatural considering he was so recently bedridden. Perhaps Anax did expedite his healing at an incredible rate, sparking the man¡¯s libido as well. Currently Schuler had all the skull¡¯s vigor, to which Patience was not opposed.


    He took great care of her aching chamber, but she needed more. She wanted as much of him as possible. Out of embarrassment, Patience tilted her head to the side, letting her hair veil her heated face. She then shyly lifted her legs, prompting Schuler to release her thighs for a moment. Her feet extended past his shoulders. She shuffled closer, swinging her hips up slightly to hook her ankles around the man¡¯s neck comfortably.


    Realizing her intentions, Schuler smiled darkly. His cock kneaded into a new curve of her sleeve. It elevated her moaning to a higher pitch. Encouraged, Schuler jacked away with abandon.


    An intense shock of friction and pleasure seized her loins with each thrust. The fervency shuddered Patience¡¯s breath. Before long she gasped for air. This seemed like her own fever dream. Schuler above her, drinking in her body, giving her his all. Her moans joining his grunts in the air between them. A fantasy made real.


    For now he was hers and hers alone. She wished this moment to last forever. Forever. Her eyes shot open through her veil of hair. Schuler paid no particular mind. He continued pleasuring them both. The heady presence of his cock drove her concerns out of her mind for now. All Patience could do was let the ecstasy of lit nerves hum through her body.


    ¡°God, Patience,¡± Schuler heaved as he leaned into her chest, ¡°you¡ª¡±


    Patience put a thumb to his mouth. She did not want another word to leave it. Not now. It would only make her heart ache for him more. She craned upward, wrapping her lips around his. His tongue slid inside as his mouth cupped against hers. Joined at their heads, he plowed into her hole. When he could go no further, he ground his hips in circles, retracting in the slightest to gain leverage.


    Patience ran her hands along his sides, feeling the taut muscles flex beneath her palms. Schuler¡¯s mouth departed from her lips to kiss her chin, her jaw. His hair brushed over her face. She reached a hand up, gently twining a few locks in her fingers, and gripped a fist to his scalp. His grunts became more aggressive. His lips drew back to expose his teeth in his kisses. He bit down on her jaw. Patience gasped, holding his head in place.


    Desperately rubbing into his pelvis, the pressure mounted in her loins. She imagined his cock packing her flesh denser and denser with each ensuing thrust, squeezing that ball of nerves. More and more compact it became. Closer and closer. Then under insurmountable force and pressure, it cracked. And from it burst forth beaming rays of bliss.


    She moaned into Schuler¡¯s mouth. He held himself as tightly against her body as possible, letting his cock bathe in her inner undulations. As her clenching peaked, the man briefly shirked his face away, choking out a groan. He could not help but issue a few pumps, losing himself.


    Once the intervals between each throb lengthened, Schuler continued to grind in an attempt to resuscitate that glorious feeling and extend its life. Patience, on the other hand, had the wind knocked out of her. Her heart raced and she stilled in the hopes of regulating its pace. She arched up into Schuler¡¯s pelvis, encouraging him to use her body as he pleased.


    On the verge of climax, the man pulled out with a gasp. He desperately kneaded the base of his cock against her mound, his sac sliding into her juices. With a couple more jerks, he released. Streams of his seed lashed across Patience¡¯s torso, a few pearls reaching her throat. Schuler panted, rubbing the last ounces out. It pooled at her navel, the final strings finally breaking away from the tip of his cock when he stepped back. He swept the hair from his face as he admired Patience glistening in the dimming light. He smirked, content with the job he had done.


    Patience returned a coy smile, but quickly sat up, not wanting to linger in that euphoric feeling cementing his name in her heart. Schuler politely offered her the used washcloth from the bowl of water. She wiped the mess from her skin.


    ¡°So ¡­¡± said Schuler with a bastard¡¯s grin, ¡°was I any good?¡±


    Patience snorted and threw the cloth at him. He caught it amid a flurry of their laughter. ¡°If I may take Anax with me? I¡¯d like to wash up,¡± she said with regained composure.


    ¡°Oh, right, of course.¡± He handed her the skull from the nightstand.


    Patience took Anax to the bathroom for his post-coital duties. Even though Schuler came outside, she had to be sure. Additionally she drew a bath, her first in days aside from cursory daily washes with a cloth. The bath could not come soon enough. She wondered if Schuler had noticed her musk. If he did, it did not seem to have deterred him. Patience applied Anax to her head and sat upon the toilet.


    ¡°Patience?¡±


    ¡°If you could clean me out, please,¡± she requested.


    ¡°You¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m sorry. It ¡­ lifted his mood I¡¯m sure.¡±


    Instead of a snapping remark or rumbling growl that she expected, Anax wordlessly slipped in a tendril and began his work. To her continued surprise, he remained silent throughout her entire bath. He even lathered and washed her hair without her having to ask. Patience wondered if he was simply concentrating on flushing any fever-causing germs from her body. Or if something else was on his mind.


    That evening they filled their bellies with Mr. Well¡¯s gift. Schuler even had the energy to regale them with stories from his time working odd jobs around Keaton, leading up to the point where he met Patience¡¯s father. It was altogether very pleasant and Schuler and Patience agreed to an early night.


    As Schuler got up to use the toilet, Patience took the dishes to the kitchen. She came back with a newly filled pitcher of water for the stand and turned to make her way to fluff the pillow and blanket on the sofa. Returning from the restroom, Schuler met her in an awkward dance outside the bedroom door. Schuler gripped her arm. He nodded over to his bed.


    ¡°You can¡¯t keep sleeping on the sofa. It¡¯s not good for your back.¡± That was all he said before he led her to the bed.


    With Anax returned to his crown, Schuler settled into his side of the mattress. He pulled back the quilt, inviting her to the other side. Patience hesitantly shuffled under the covers while keeping a hand¡¯s width away from the man. As her eyes closed, she felt another tug in her heart. Try as she might to deny it, her love for Schuler fully engulfed her heart. And she nestled into this love as sleep overcame her.


    ***


    In the warm darkness, a voice came.


    ¡°You won¡¯t leave me, will you?¡±


    Dripping, feeding one word at a time into a black pool.


    ¡°Don¡¯t leave.¡±


    It echoed.


    ¡°Please.¡±


    Patience¡¯s eyes peeled open. The pale dawn enveloped the bedroom. Everything just as it was, everything except for a gentle seething. Alarmed that it could be Schuler fading again, she whipped her head around. But to her surprise, the noise was coming from the skeletal helm he wore.


    ¡°Anax?¡± she whispered, careful not to disturb Schuler¡¯s rest.


    ¡°You¡¯ll leave me once you go with him.¡±


    Patience scoffed. ¡°What? No!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s inevitable.¡±


    ¡°I could never leave you! You¡¯ve given me so much. I fought for you¡ªto keep you from Valon.¡±


    ¡°Still, you would consider giving me up.¡±


    ¡°I only thought you¡¯d want a better life than the one you had with me.¡± Patience looked into Anax¡¯s orb with pleading eyes. ¡°I thought of you above all else. Didn¡¯t I?¡±


    His eye dissipated. ¡°Now you may have a better life with Schuler.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid, Anax.¡± Patience twisted the bedcover with her fists. He seemed so dull and lifeless without the faint glowing marble floating in the socket.


    ¡°I¡¯m attached to him at this very moment. I know how he feels about you,¡± creaked Anax. ¡°I know how you feel about him.¡±


    The girl mentally traced the lines and curves of the skull. Her skull. Heat flushed the apples of her cheeks. ¡°And you know how I feel about you.¡±


    A glimmer in the dark hollow.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve sensed it. You may search my brain later if you haven¡¯t already.¡±


    His eye reappeared.


    ¡°Anax. There will always be room for you in my life. You¡¯re ingrained in it.¡± The girl placed a hand to his jaw. A smile flashed across her lips. Her bloodshot eyes shone. ¡°I¡¯m yours, aren¡¯t I?¡± Slowly Patience leaned up toward the skull. ¡°I can¡¯t escape you.¡± Meeting his gaze, she placed a gentle kiss on Anax¡¯s snout. ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°A-and him?¡± asked the skull as he peered down.


    Patience¡¯s mouth dipped. Fluttering eyelids dispelled burgeoning tears. ¡°What do you wish to do with him?¡±


    ¡°He clearly means much to you. I won¡¯t ask you to cast him out of your life.¡±


    Patience¡¯s life. It was uniquely intertwined with Anax¡¯s own now, but that did not mean they were completely isolated from others. One of the others being the man under Anax¡¯s shade. The girl heaved a sigh. She began measuring the potential regret. If she would regret spending the rest of Schuler¡¯s life with him, and lie by his deathbed, much as she was now. Or if she would regret not being with this man and letting the distance between them forever remain at an arm¡¯s length. Which future would pain her more.


    ¡°Supposing Schuler does want to wed me still ¡­¡± Patience¡¯s breath hitched as she came to an idea. She was not certain how sound it was, if it was even any good. But it was an idea. Only it would rest on the decisions of two souls.


    ¡°Supposing you don¡¯t mind being with him ¡­ as you are now ¡­¡± Patience wrung her hands. ¡°You may not want your territory taken from you, but how about sharing your territory¡ªperhaps even expand it?¡± She stared into the orb. ¡°W-would you take Schuler?¡±


    Anax crackled into a peal of hissing laughter.

 (29) Proposal

    In the morning, Patience knelt by the bed with a bowl of water and a cloth in her hands. She nodded up at Anax, whom Schuler removed. The man leaned back and allowed her to wash his face for him. Cool and moist, the cloth painted relief across his skin.


    ¡°Look at you tending to me like a nurse this whole week.¡±


    ¡°A nurse with some benefits it would seem,¡± she added.


    Schuler attempted to chuckle but instead choked on a bit of phlegm. Patience mindfully dabbed his lips with the cloth. He held his hand up to stop her. ¡°Now I don¡¯t want your pity ¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t pity you! I¡¯m genuinely worried about you.¡±


    ¡°Spending all this time with me ¡­¡°


    ¡°All of this was ultimately my fault,¡± Patience whispered.


    ¡°What are you saying?¡±


    A wall of sorrow rose inside her, pushing at the back of her throat, warping her words. ¡°The fever ¡­ it¡¯s the result of a witch¡¯s curse. It had to have been that man, Dorcas¡¯ nephew,¡± she whimpered. ¡°It should have been me with the fever ¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have ever been that stu¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hey, now!¡± said Schuler, patting her hand. ¡°That¡¯s all happened in the past. It¡¯s not as if you laid the curse ¡­¡±


    ¡°I do feel guilty!¡± Patience gently gripped his arm. ¡°But I want to see you well because you¡¯re my best friend.¡±


    ¡°Me? Shucks. But you¡¯ve done enough. Don¡¯t let me hold you back. You should be out, living your life ¡­¡± he droned, ¡°maybe find a nice boy or something.¡±


    ¡°I ¡­ don¡¯t want to find a nice boy,¡± she mumbled, head hung low. Her heart clenched. ¡°You¡¯re important to me ¡­ You¡¯re the only human left alive I¡ª¡± Patience shook her head, catching herself before she rambled longer.


    Schuler looked at her with wide eyes. He rubbed her arm and shifted his head back into the pillow. His gaze drifted upward, searching the ceiling for his words.


    ¡°You know, I thought I was on my deathbed. All that time spent lying here got me to reflect on my life. Maybe all my wanderlust was just my brain trying to find that one thing that makes me as happy as music does, even happier.¡± He grasped Patience¡¯s hand in his.


    She smiled sadly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I rejected you all those years ago. I ¡­ was scared,¡± murmured the girl.


    Schuler squeezed her hand. ¡°It¡¯s all right. No hurt feelings. Well, I was disappointed, but I never held it against you.¡±


    Patience solemnly nodded. Schuler lifted a finger to her chin reassuringly. She warmed at his touch.


    ¡°I just want you to know I care about you¡ªa lot. Yesterday afternoon with you made it all the clearer,¡± he said.


    Patience nodded more fervently. ¡°I ¡­ care deeply about you too.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve all got one life to live ¡­¡± The man glanced over at Anax resting beside him on the bed. ¡°Well, most of us.¡±


    She chuckled, tears on the verge of pooling. Patience rubbed the man¡¯s hand with her thumb. His skin felt thinner than she previously remembered. She realized how much he had aged from when they first met.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you know, but¡ªHell, I love you, Patience,¡± Schuler gushed.


    Patience¡¯s eyebrows drew upward. To finally hear those words out loud was surreal. It completed a puzzle within her mind, and now she saw the transcendent image before her.


    Time was always marching on. The lead on Patience¡¯s rope was longer, and she could see Schuler hiking closer to its dark heels. While a spinster¡¯s life in the emotionless void was safe and stable, it no longer captivated Patience. She wanted to love this man, to bask in the light of his candle before it went out. It was a risk. It would not be easy. But as a skull had taught her, sometimes forging into the unknown would make things worth all the while.


    ¡°So I will ask you again, Patience Firmin,¡± he said, meeting eyes with her, ¡°and you can still say ¡®no¡¯ ¡­¡± He inhaled, air passing roughly into his lungs. ¡°Will you do me the honor of being my wife?¡±


    Her lips wrinkled into a smile. After everything she had been through, it was clear. Schuler would not readily leave her. Patience now knew her life had to include him for as long and as closely as possible. They both had one life to live. She was willing to accept that. She was ready.


    ¡°Yes. I will, Mathis Schuler. I love you.¡±


    Patience leaned in until she was face-to-face with the man. She wrapped her lips tenderly around his. Schuler shyly returned her force. His mustache tickled her lip, the hairs soft and gentle. She soaked in the warmth of his skin and caught the subtle scent that was his alone. Her heart swelled. However, their kiss ended all too soon when Patience pulled back. She tugged at the hem of her blouse, eyes pleading into his.


    ¡°But please tell me you will also accept Anax. Take him to keep you healthy, to keep you strong ¡­¡± Patience¡¯s throat cinched, attempting to quell her rising emotions. ¡°To keep you here on this earth longer ¡­ with me.¡±


    Schuler held her gaze for a moment and sighed. Patience¡¯s nerves constricted, fearing rejection.


    ¡°I know he means a lot to you ¡­ and I can¡¯t ever ask you to get rid of him.¡± He smoothed his hair.


    Patience¡¯s lips quivered.


    He then broke into a smile. ¡°Well,¡± he said, ¡°living longer? Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.¡±


    Patience flew into him, wrapping her arms over his shoulders. ¡°Thank you! Thank you ¡­¡± Her chest could barely contain the joy in her heart.


    They kissed again before Patience placed Anax on Schuler¡¯s head. Beaming, she waited for the skull¡¯s eye to form. It swirled into focus.


    ¡°Anax. Schuler and I are to wed, and he has accepted you,¡± she told the skull.


    ¡°Wh¡ªreally?¡± Anax paused, searching Schuler¡¯s thoughts for confirmation. ¡°You¡¯ll have me as part of your marriage?¡±


    ¡°Just behave, please. And give Schuler strength,¡± Patience simpered.


    ¡°I ¡­¡±


    ¡°Would you mind? Having me as your life-donor from time to time?¡± asked Schuler. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you with Patience when I have performances.¡±


    ¡°Of course I¡¯ll have you,¡± the skull creaked. ¡°I¡¯ll have both of you.¡±


    Anax extended tendrils around Schuler and more to wrap around Patience, bringing them all into an embrace on the edge of the bed. Patience allowed herself to laugh, overjoyed with their acceptance of each other. Schuler chuckled as well. This was certainly not what he envisioned for a life with Patience, but things seemed to have brighter prospects than he imagined.


    ¡°So you won¡¯t mind sharing me now?¡± Patience teased.


    ¡°I get two donors out of this. I think it¡¯s a fair trade,¡± said the skull. ¡°So long as I can still do what I want with you!¡± He snaked a tendril down Patience¡¯s blouse.


    ¡°That won¡¯t change,¡± the girl sighed with a smile. Her eyes then flashed to Schuler. ¡°Have you any problems with that?¡±


    The man smirked, reaching a hand around Patience¡¯s hip. ¡°If I get my time too, I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    She flushed.


    ¡°My own family unit!¡± hissed Anax, quite pleased with himself. A laugh boomed from the skull. He squeezed the two humans tighter. ¡°It¡¯s a bit unconventional, but it¡¯s my own!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been in an unconventional situation since the first day I placed you on my head!¡± Patience snickered, lightly pinching a tendril.


    Still a bit dazed from illness and the new permanent addition in his life, Schuler could do naught but sit with a grin slapped on his face. ¡°Well, this¡¯ll be an adventure for the ages,¡± breathed the man. Stolen story; please report.


    On the precipice of yet another new chapter in her life, Patience smiled warmly at Schuler and Anax. It had been strange seeing Anax from the other side. It was even stranger seeing Schuler under his skull. However at this moment, something about it felt quite appropriate: the two men she cared for most, together as one. She looked forward to what would unfold in the near future.


    Valon was right. There were no happy endings in life, for every life ended in death. At the very least, one could hope for a bittersweet ending. When the time would come for Patience to sit by Schuler¡¯s side once more with no hope of having him rise again, she knew she would have Anax there with her. Even without the monstrous skull, she would have the memories of a life lived with Schuler to keep her company as she saw him into his next life. A silent, dark, yet peaceful life.


    Patience leaned in to hug Schuler tightly. A vow passed her lips to never let this man away from her again. She peered up, meeting his face. She stared into his deep blue eyes, one obscured by the glowing orb of Anax¡¯s eye. As she held their gaze, she knew at that moment she also held their hearts. Just as well. They had long had hers.


    ¡°Oh! This occasion is missing a key piece,¡± said Schuler. ¡°Patience, go on over to the dresser. In the top drawer, near the left, you¡¯ll find a box. Grab it and open it, will ya? It¡¯s for you.¡±


    Obliging, Patience stepped to the dresser. She rummaged through his clothes before discovering the box. Smaller than she had pictured, Patience took it into her hands like a baby bird. She carefully undid the minuscule, golden hook latch with her fingernails, and opened it. Inside the octagonal container was a gold ring. The metal wrapped around a cluster of garnets in the shape of a flower with a modest yellow topaz in the center. Patience gasped as she lifted it to her eyes.


    ¡°I saw it in Checagoa and thought it¡¯d be perfect. I know how you feel about cut flowers, so a more permanent option may be more appealing. Hope it fits,¡± Schuler said. ¡°You like it?¡±


    Breathless, Patience slipped it on her finger. It was a few hairs loose, but she marveled at its simple beauty. Humbled, she took it off and returned it to the miniature box.


    ¡°I can¡¯t accept this,¡± said Patience.


    ¡°Do you not like it?¡±


    ¡°No! I love it. It¡¯s beautiful¡ªI just cannot allow it for myself.¡±


    ¡°Why not? We¡¯re getting married, right?¡± asked Schuler, worry plastered on his face.


    ¡°We are! But this must have cost so much ¡­¡±


    ¡°Patience. This ring is intended for you and only you to wear. Even if we never got married, I would have given it to you come the right time. So please. Accept my gift.¡±


    A smile spread across Patience¡¯s lips. She reapplied the ring to her finger and admired the warm colors singing on her skin. To be gifted such a piece was beyond her comprehension. Marriage hardly ever crossed her mind, so she never pictured a ring like this adorning her hand. It was a wild concept, but just as incredible and tangible as a talking skull.


    ¡°I wish to see!¡± said Anax.


    Just then a series of knocks came from the front door.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have time enough to see it later.¡± Patience chuckled as she went to the entrance.


    Anax grumbled and dissipated.


    To Patience¡¯s surprise, the cheery countenances of Minky and Amelia greeted her behind the door. ¡°Oh! Minky! Amelia! Good morning!¡±


    ¡°Good morning, Patience!¡± Amelia chirped over a full basket.


    ¡°Hi, girls!¡± Schuler called from the bed.


    ¡°It appears Schuler¡¯s feeling better.¡± Minky laughed, hefting a pot between her arms.


    Amelia nudged her partner¡¯s arm with her elbow. ¡°We wanted to stop by with some food. We won¡¯t disturb you for long.¡± She proffered Patience a basket with homemade jam, a hunk of ham, and rustic rolls. Meanwhile, Minky let herself in to set down the lidded pot in the kitchen. ¡°Minky¡¯s famous potato soup!¡± Amelia explained. Minky then took the basket and set it beside the soup. Patience graciously thanked them.


    ¡°The whole band wishes you well!¡± Minky hollered. ¡°Celeste also sends her regards!¡±


    ¡°Bless your hearts!¡± came Schuler¡¯s voice.


    Amelia winked at Patience. ¡°We need him back at the theater! I can¡¯t keep covering his parts with my zither. Doesn¡¯t sound quite right.¡± She took Patience¡¯s hand in hers to pat it. ¡°Keep taking good care of him!¡±


    Then she saw it. Amelia¡¯s eyes widened and her face seemed to shine as she lightly touched the ring with her fingertip. Her mouth fell agape, failing to say anything. Remembering herself, Amelia retracted her hands. She flashed Patience a look of glee.


    Minky then realized what the fuss was about. ¡°SCHULER! You proposed to Patience?¡± Minky cried from the doorway. Amelia snapped her partner¡¯s suspenders to reprimand her outburst.


    ¡°Yes, Minky. Can we keep silent on this until I return?¡± Schuler shouted.


    Minky¡¯s mouth snapped shut, trying to hide her excitement, though her glistening blue eyes spoke the loudest. Amelia collected herself and absentmindedly primped her coiffure. She shot Patience a smile, leaning in toward the girl.


    ¡°Congratulations! Patience! We¡¯re so happy for you and Schuler! It¡¯s about time he settled down!¡± Amelia whispered.


    ¡°Ah, we ought to get going and bother you two not a moment more! We still have a show this afternoon,¡± said Minky with a sly wink. They bade their farewell.


    Once the pair took their leave, Patience shut the door with her heart aflutter. She never knew an engagement could excite others so. Never had she experienced anyone gushing over her like that. A tad flustered, she stepped away from the door to see to Schuler.


    Back atop the bed, Anax cradled Patience¡¯s hand in his vaporous tendrils, turning her fingers slowly to admire the ring. Patience liked how gently he could touch her. She shifted her head to glance at Schuler. The fact that a wedding was to come began to sink into her bones.


    ¡°Mrs. Laurence will be happy to hear she can finally make me a wedding dress,¡± sighed Patience with a dreamy smile on her lips. She had seen wedding gowns on dress forms in the shop a multitude of times. To think that she would have one soon of her own made her heart drum. As she hardly wore dresses, the shape of her future gown remained vague, but Mrs. Laurence would most certainly guide her.


    Then a thought crossed her mind. ¡°I suppose you want to get married in a catholic church.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t have to be that specifically. I¡¯d feel rightly judged if I stepped in one.¡± The man laughed, smoothing the bedspread under his hand.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you ask for all your transgressions to be forgiven?¡±


    ¡°Er¡ªyes. Still, I won¡¯t feel right since I¡¯ve drifted so far away from the Church. Last time I attended was for my nephew¡¯s christening. ¡®Sides, they¡¯d want you converted and baptized to have a fully sacramental wedding.¡±


    Patience flopped onto her back. ¡°Then to the courthouse we will go.¡±


    ¡°Marriage customs are so strange,¡± mused Anax. ¡°My kind have no such rituals.¡±


    ¡°There is a beauty in simplicity,¡± hummed Schuler. ¡°A courthouse wedding and a nice dinner will do us fine. Is that all you want, Patience?¡±


    ¡°I really have no preference.¡±


    ¡°Hm ¡­ the band may want to do a bit more. I just want to prepare you for that.¡± He clasped Patience¡¯s hand, gently sandwiching Anax¡¯s tendril in between.


    ¡°So long as at the end of the day, we are together.¡± Patience flexed her fingers to grip onto the tips of his. She had never personally been to a wedding, so she was unsure of the common practices and what level of pomp would be appropriate.


    ¡°Would they want a dinner like that night at Lang¡¯s?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°Hell, they¡¯d probably want to host a whole party at Lang¡¯s!¡± Schuler chuckled. ¡°Would that be all right, Patience? Of course, nothing is for certain yet¡ªjust thinking of the possibilities.¡±


    ¡°Lang¡¯s sounds lovely. I do enjoy the food there.¡± The idea of festivities was beginning to dawn on Patience. She clicked her tongue. ¡°Well, if we are to have a party, we must get a cake from the Haighs!¡±


    Mrs. Haigh always handled the special orders, but will occasionally have Seraphina assist. Even if Patience would have to interact with her, a bit of her contempt for the blonde dissolved. If the town loved Seraphina, then so be it. Patience now had others to love her.


    ¡°Will you invite your brother and his family?¡± asked Patience.


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll invite them. Don¡¯t know if they¡¯ll come, though. It would take weeks for them to get here.¡±


    Patience nodded.


    Forgetting Anax¡¯s presence, Schuler stroked his chin, his fingers hitting a mandible. ¡°Have any family you want to invite?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen all my family at the funerals. In their old age, I¡¯m sure they wouldn¡¯t be able to make the trip. And I hardly know any of my younger cousins ¡­¡° Patience sighed.


    Her relatives were veritable strangers. But considering the few people in town she did like, invitations to Mrs. Laurence and the Wells brothers would be nice. Patience supposed she would inform Uncle Lung about her engagement and send a perfunctory invitation as well, even though the chances of him coming were slim. Should they all come, it would still be a small celebration.


    She looked Schuler and Anax in the eyes and smiled. ¡°It¡¯s all right, I have all the family I need right here.¡±


    The growl of Schuler¡¯s stomach interrupted the moment. Patience patted his abdomen with cheerful assurance before rising from the bed.


    Once Minky¡¯s potato soup was thoroughly heated, they sat down at the kitchen table for lunch. Patience nearly shed a tear seeing Schuler in a room that did not contain the bath or bed. However, she refused to let it escape her eye. She had cried enough the past few days. Schuler was getting better by the hour. They were engaged. Anax was happy. It was time to enjoy their first proper meal all together.


    ¡°After we are properly married, are we to move into my cottage?¡± asked Patience, breaking a chunk of potato with her spoon.


    ¡°If you¡¯d like,¡± said Schuler.


    Patience glanced in the direction of the bathroom door and whined. She would indeed miss indoor plumbing.


    ¡°You won¡¯t mind commuting to Haverston?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a long ride,¡± Schuler said.


    ¡°Can you take me to borrow books from Haverston¡¯s library?¡± asked Anax. Patience stifled a chuckle. He seemed like an eager child in that instant.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Anax trilled.


    ¡°Finish all the books at home, first,¡± Patience teased.


    The rest of the day was spent in the company of the guitar. At Anax¡¯s behest, Schuler allowed the creature to strum and practice what he had picked from the man¡¯s brain. Categorically amazed, Schuler played a couple of songs that Anax mirrored with only the man¡¯s memories as guidance. Anax astounded them both when he invented his own melodies. The idea to get Anax a small inexpensive guitar of his own crossed between Schuler and Patience. Perhaps for the holidays. Then he could partake in duets with the musician, but of course they would be for Patience¡¯s ears alone.


    That night they fell onto newly changed sheets. Free of the scent of disease and sweat. Fresh and bright for the trio¡¯s new beginning together. Patience nuzzled in close to Schuler¡¯s chest. He rested above her so that Anax¡¯s jaws would not hamper her. They fit into each other as pieces of a puzzle. Never had Patience felt such bliss. She could remain there forever. This was where she belonged.

 (30) Together as One

    Patience and Schuler slept in late the next morning under the watchful eye of Anax. Warmed by golden rays, Schuler stirred awake, finding Patience nestled at his side. He brightened, tracing the curve of her shoulder blade with his finger. Patience shifted to meet him. As he lifted away a strand of dark hair from her cheek, she peeled her eyes open. Schuler and Anax being the first sight to greet her on this day.


    ¡°Will every morning be like this from now on?¡± she sighed with a soft smile.


    A chuckle escaped through Schuler¡¯s nose. ¡°If so, sign me up.¡± His hand skimmed her collarbone, eyes shining warmly beyond Anax¡¯s sockets. The morning light cast a rim around his hair peeking out the base of the skull. His locks swirled into the billowing mist, lit up like some vision.


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful,¡± Patience said.


    Schuler balked. ¡°Ain¡¯t ever got that from a woman, but I¡¯ll take it!¡±


    He shifted over her supine body. The teeth at the end of Anax¡¯s snout grazed Patience¡¯s skin. Schuler pardoned himself and tilted the skull upward so that all the pointy ends reached over her head. Patience leaned forward, her brow hitting the bottom of Anax¡¯s mandibles. She maneuvered a kiss onto Schuler¡¯s mouth. After she pulled away from the man, she pecked Anax¡¯s jaw.


    Schuler smirked. ¡°What are you getting after?¡±


    Patience reached her hand to the man¡¯s chin, running her thumb over his soft lip. He flicked his tongue out to meet it. They exchanged smiles. Schuler ran a hand down Patience¡¯s side, leaving a trail of standing hairs on her supple skin. She shuddered.


    ¡°I¡¯ve pined for you for a while now,¡± Patience admitted. ¡°I only had to overcome my own misgivings and¡ª¡± She stroked the strands of the man¡¯s hair falling over her face and laughed. ¡°Now I really have you!¡±


    ¡°Well, will you have me again?¡±


    As if on cue, Anax¡¯s tendrils slid Schuler¡¯s drawers down, freeing the man¡¯s hardening length. Patience¡¯s face grew red. In a nearly choreographed move, Schuler shifted his legs to straddle her while Anax removed his drawers entirely.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have all of you,¡± murmured Patience.


    A crooked grin stretched Schuler¡¯s lips. His hand roamed over her chest, tugging off her underclothes with her assistance. As her chemise lifted away from her head, Patience caught sight of the vapor behind Schuler condensing. When her drawers left her legs, the fog was nearly solid. Patience greeted Schuler¡¯s entry with a slight groan, unprepared for penetration so soon after waking. He pressed in harder as the weight above him manifested.


    ¡°Hey! What¡¯s this about, Anax?¡± huffed Schuler as he craned his neck over his shoulder for an attempted view.


    ¡°I want to join!¡± Anax whined.


    A haphazard body materialized around Schuler¡¯s back. Patience could see the hint of legs by Schuler¡¯s own. She certainly felt the misty claws that came down upon her arms at her side.


    ¡°I like this view of you!¡± Anax¡¯s eye quivered at the very edge of his skull. ¡°I like seeing you under me! Now let¡¯s see what sorts of faces you made while wearing me!¡± He formed his cock, extending it longer than he normally would simply to reach, and slid right underneath Schuler¡¯s own.


    ¡°Whoa! Hey! Take care with that!¡± Schuler snapped, quite unnerved by the odd sensation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be delicate,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± Schuler uttered with a wash of doubt.


    Anax prodded the base of Patience¡¯s already occupied entrance. A nudge. And then he started to ease his way inside. Patience seethed as she was stretched to a new limit. Schuler caressed her face, wincing slightly himself.


    The three lay there for a while. The gentle pulsing of Anax¡¯s length coaxed Patience into eventually accommodating them both. He was not near his usual girth, yet Anax challenged her nonetheless. It was a snug fit, but deliciously so.


    ¡°Hm! It feels quite good being up against you, Schuler!¡± Anax purred.


    ¡°Er,¡± stammered the man, ¡°It¡¯s definitely ¡­ different.¡±


    At that Anax commenced thrusting into Patience, driving Schuler further inside her. Earnest as always, Anax carried on as he normally would. But as he slowed, Patience noticed Schuler¡¯s stillness. She could tell the man was holding back, simply letting Anax push him. She smiled.


    ¡°Schuler ¡­ please ¡­ I know you can¡¯t resist the urge much longer,¡± Patience said in syrupy, languid tones. She felt a throb at the front of her cavity, certain that it was Schuler¡¯s response. A sigh escaped the man, and he began pumping alongside the misty body.


    Every time Anax thrust faster, Schuler matched him. When Anax dug in deeper, Schuler matched him. It soon became a contest. The struggle between them overwhelmed Patience, leaving her breathless. Watching, feeling them vie for dominance inside her wiped her mind blank. The only thing she knew at the moment was the fervent grinding and its intense echo. She instinctively rolled up against the bodies atop her to ask for more once there was a lapse in movement. There were two of them. There was no excuse for rest.


    What once came from around her head, Anax¡¯s groans were now heard in tandem with Schuler¡¯s. The two eventually came to taking turns. Schuler would do his work, then hand the reins to Anax. Patience could not help but wonder if they enjoyed feeling the other cock slide against his own, pressing it into the walls of her chamber. She hoped they did. The idea fanned her burning heat.


    Anax pushed harder, slapping his groin against Schuler¡¯s ass. Catching glimpses between Schuler¡¯s arching, Patience noticed the man¡¯s sac straddling Anax¡¯s length. Schuler¡¯s breath hitched.


    Patience smiled to herself. Her arms folded around the man¡¯s back to find Anax¡¯s torso incorporeal. She passed through the mist and brought Schuler down to meet her chest. He tilted his head and Anax away from her, nestling by the side of her neck.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    As Schuler gripped onto Patience¡¯s waist, Anax grappled her arms. He guided her hands down Schuler¡¯s sides, causing the man to shudder and knead his cock in deeper. Patience inched closer to falling into a cascade of pleasure. Suddenly Anax pinned her arms to the bed. He parroted Schuler¡¯s greedy thrusts. The doubled sensation drove Patience over the peak.


    She mewled ecstatically. Losing herself in the luscious, relieved throbbing of her loins, she arched herself against the men to squeeze out every pulse. Schuler froze to avoid his own release. But Anax had no such restraint. Patience¡¯s rapturous undulations called him deep inside. The skull thrust in quick succession with bestial growls. In a final push, he came, a curt grunt cutting the air. He held himself there for a long moment, letting his cock pump the sleeve full. His motions were intensified in the tight space, nearly spurring Patience to full arousal again.


    ¡°That ¡­ was good,¡± Anax mustered to say. He pulled his length out, a slick of fluid dripped down onto the bed. Patience¡¯s insides relaxed around the now lone member. Before he dissolved his body, the skull wiped his wet cock between Schuler¡¯s cheeks, sending another shiver over the man. ¡°You¡¯re good. I like you,¡± he said to Schuler.


    ¡°Th-thanks,¡± Schuler wheezed. The man propped himself up and looked down at Patience. Eyes hidden in shadow, she could only see his mouth. It formed into a smirk. ¡°Well, it seems as though Anax had his fill. Now it¡¯s my turn.¡±


    Those words reignited the fire that had just ceased. Patience flushed.


    Now able to move freely, Schuler cast all reservations to the wind and indulged in Patience like the sweet of his wildest dreams. The mix of Patience¡¯s fluids and Anax¡¯s seed announced their presence with lusty squelches as Schuler plowed away. Still sensitive from her last release, Patience quickly mounted the pressure to peer from the edge of bliss once more. Schuler¡¯s breaths became ragged as he neared the edge himself. Wishing to take the jump together, she wound her hands to his ass and grasped his cheeks tightly. She bumped her hips into his groin and clamped down.


    The man fell upon her with a moan, jerking from his shoulders to his toes. Patience¡¯s walls clenched, milking him empty, filling her already brimming cavity. They each let out one last exuberant groan before falling limp. Once their panting ceased, Schuler pulled away, shifting onto his back next to Patience. She curled up beside his lithe body, basking in the heat of his skin.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t too strange, was it?¡± she quietly asked, running a hand over Schuler¡¯s sweat-laden chest. Her fingers brushed over the fine, dark hair.


    ¡°He liked it,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°I can speak for myself,¡± Schuler interjected, face reddening. ¡°But¡ªyeah, it wasn¡¯t bad.¡± He shot Patience a look. ¡°I mean, you were wonderful!¡±


    Patience broke into a chuckle.


    ¡°Anax ¡­ I¡¯ll have to get used to that,¡± sighed the man, his hand reaching between the skull¡¯s jaws to rub his whiskered chin. He rested his head back into the pillows. ¡°That was ¡­ intense.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll say!¡± said Patience. She roused to stand. Had she not, she could have fallen back asleep in her blissful contentment. Upright the fluids spilled from her gap. Both Schuler and Anax whistled at the sight while she rolled her eyes. By the bed¡¯s side, Patience reached out her hands. Schuler lifted Anax from his head and gave him to her.


    Seated on the toilet, Patience hummed in satisfaction. ¡°Did you enjoy that?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Very much so ¡­¡± said the skull. ¡°Do you think I could be intimate with Schuler?¡±


    Patience¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°That ¡­¡± she breathed, ¡°would be a question for him.¡± She paused a moment, imagining the scenario. ¡°I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t mind you asking. Do not force yourself on him, though.¡±


    ¡°All right,¡± said Anax, wriggling his tendril inside. He flicked Schuler¡¯s remnants into the porcelain bowl.


    Suddenly she sat up with a start. ¡°Sch-Schuler?¡± Patience called.


    ¡°Yes? Did you need anything?¡± Schuler¡¯s arm appeared at the doorway. Even though he had gotten to know Patience on a higher plane of intimacy, he remained shy.


    ¡°I ¡­ I was wondering if you take offense to this ¡­¡± she said.


    ¡°How do you mean?¡± he asked outside the door.


    Patience wrinkled her mouth, fumbling over the words. ¡°Does it bother you I¡¯m eliminating any chance of pregnancy right now?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Patience!¡± said the man, ¡°I don¡¯t want to subject you to anything you don¡¯t want, bearing children included.¡±


    Her breath hitched as her heart swelled.


    ¡°I have you, and that¡¯s really all I need ¡­ for the rest of my life.¡±


    Patience¡¯s head lifted toward the door.


    Anax withdrew his tendril and dropped the last clod into the toilet. He muttered, ¡°He has me too.¡±


    Patience flew out of the bathroom, nearly tackling Schuler down to the floor in the process. The girl wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. She did not think she could love him even more. ¡°Thank you,¡± she uttered.


    Still unaccustomed to seeing her naked form, Schuler turned pink. He rested his chin on Anax¡¯s crown, rubbing Patience¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Now let¡¯s get some food in our bellies,¡± he said with a pinch of her gut. Patience giggled and went to the bedroom to dress before heading to the kitchen.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m well enough to go back to work Wednesday,¡± Schuler mused over a plate of ham.


    ¡°It¡¯s true, his fever is gone,¡± said Anax.


    ¡°At least you have one more day of recovery,¡± Patience remarked.


    The man smiled at her beneath Anax¡¯s snout. ¡°Honest to God, I feel better than I did before I got sick.¡±


    Patience glanced out the window. ¡°I should go home tomorrow while you resume your usual schedule.¡±


    ¡°Right. I ought to contact Whit to make sure we¡¯re still doing the same set and get in some practice.¡±


    The day blazed in full glory without so much as a cloud in the sky. Tomorrow they would return to their normal routine. A drop of sadness rippled through Patience¡¯s heart. She enjoyed staying with Schuler and Anax like this, but a return to normalcy was for the best. It was what she had hoped for. She could find solace in that it would be a new normal at least.


    Catching Schuler¡¯s eyes deep inside Anax¡¯s skull, she softened. ¡°All right, then. As lovely as this has been, illness aside, I suppose we both have to carry on with our lives.¡±


    ¡°Our new lives, together,¡± corrected Schuler, raising his brows, a knowing smile on his lips.


    ¡°To our new life,¡± Patience simpered. She held up her cup of tea to which Schuler met with his own in a toast.


    ***


    The next day, Patience took Anax upon her head. Outside of the apartment¡¯s lobby, she hugged Schuler. Unsatisfied he tipped Anax up to steal a kiss from her. They bade each other farewell before he departed for Haverston, and she her cottage. A morning breeze stirred the cypresses behind Patience, their rustling whispered in her ears. Anax hummed at the back of her neck, elated to see anything other than the interior of Schuler¡¯s apartment. Her shoes creaked into motion to take her home.


    But before Patience could travel several feet, she noticed a grimy stain on the path where the fallen chick had been. Its demise was soon to be erased from history, the only remnant being the memory it impressed upon Patience. She wondered if its skeleton had been devoured by some stray cat, or kicked off into oblivion by unaware pedestrians. A shame, for Patience just felt the urge to collect its skeleton to clean and save.


    ¡°Schuler will come to your cottage tonight?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps. If not, I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll see him very soon.¡±


    Patience touched her fingers to the jewels on her ring. The token glittered on the fist curling around the handle of her carpetbag. To Patience, it represented everything gained from the time she met Schuler, and Anax. A treasure found at the end of a long journey.


    She walked on under the wash of blue sky with her heart aflutter. Her mind briefly wondered in what state they would find her chickens and garden. Surely the vegetables and Rosamund¡¯s chicks had grown some. Patience smiled, certain that she had grown a bit herself.


    By now she no longer noticed the presence of the skeletal helm on her head, only when he was absent did she feel strange. She breathed him. His vapor slithered inside her body whether they were aware or not. She needed him as he needed her. They were intrinsically connected in body and spirit.


    ¡°Thank you, again,¡± she whispered.


    No other words could express the depth of her gratitude, not only for what Anax had done for Schuler, but for what he had done for her. These words could not express that feeling that wrenched her heart. That feeling of being loved. That feeling of being intertwined with another soul. Patience only hoped Anax could sense all this in her mind.


    The skull rumbled, ¡°You¡¯re welcome, my pet.¡±

 (31) Epilogue

    The gray water had long warmed from the persistent summer air. It no longer kept Patience¡¯s hands cool as she ground clothes against the washboard. Shafts of strong light easily penetrated the shade of the white pine and Patience found herself sweating shortly after she started. The pump tempted her to indulge in a few splashes of cold well water, but she would rather finish the job faster.


    ¡°We can go inside sooner if you spent more of your time helping me than playing with flowers, Anax,¡± Patience chided.


    ¡°I want to make a garland for the mantle,¡± said Anax. His tendrils snaked through the thin stems of a collection of garden flowers he had picked, weaving them one by one into a chain.


    ¡°You know how I feel about cut flowers,¡± teased Patience, rolling her eyes.


    ¡°But Schuler likes them,¡± he retorted.


    ¡°Oh!¡± Patience paused in thought. ¡°I had no idea ¡­¡± She was still learning about the men she loved and was grateful she did not have vapid partners. She continued to scrub at the clothes in the tub.


    Only two more months remained until their wedding in the fall. Everything was in place and they only needed to wait for the dress to be completed. In the meantime, Patience and Schuler split their time between her cottage and his apartment in Keaton as he was still bound by the lease. Patience savored her dwindling weeks with indoor plumbing.


    The town had sneered at the couple living together out of wedlock. While Patience and Schuler¡¯s friends and acquaintances never spoke out against it from the start, it was a juicy bit of gossip between a number of townsfolk. Patience was used to it. Schuler let the stares and susurrations glance off his back. But as with many things over time, even those whispers died down as their presence as a couple solidified in the area.


    ¡°When will Schuler come home?¡± asked Anax.


    ¡°This new show ought to end well before supper time.¡±


    The sound of hooves knocked on the road. Patience lifted her head to spy a large wagon stop at the front gate.


    ¡°Oh, wonderful! The new mattress is here!¡±


    Patience sprang to her feet, abandoning the wash and forcing Anax to leave his flower chain. Two men jumped off the wagon. Patience met them by the road, unlatching the gate. She might have been intimidated by their looks and side-glances to each other, but Anax provided all the confidence she needed.


    Once again Patience exchanged her signature for the delivery. The men rounded to the back of the wagon to heave the mattress out. Patience ran ahead to get the front door and clear their path to her parents¡¯ bedroom.


    The shade of the house provided some relief from the hot day. She scooted the stuffed badger away from the door. She pushed the mounted lynx further into the parlor. The sound of a rough canvas wrap shifting against the deliverymen¡¯s shirts chased Patience to the bedroom.


    One man nearly tripped over an otter on a log. Patience apologized profusely before taking it to her room. The men propped the new mattress against the wardrobe and lifted the old mattress from the bedframe. Exchanging places the delivery landed upon the wooden slats with a loud thump. They shifted it square to the bed. Patience had elected to donate her parents¡¯ old mattress to an asylum. She watched the stained thing lean sadly, slumping into its own weight. Patience was glad to be rid of it.


    One of the men removed the canvas wrap and folded it neatly. Patience offered to take it out to their wagon while they carried the donation. The men and the worst remnant of her parents¡¯ passing were down the road and gone all within a quarter of an hour. She stared after them, even when they had long disappeared. A deep breath filtered in and out of her lungs. Patience turned back toward the house to finish the laundry.


    Folds of cloth billowed in the gentle breeze. The wash now hung from lines strung up in the garden. Patience admired her work from the porch, sipping a cup of lukewarm tea. She had not noticed it at first, but Anax had been wicking away the sweat from her face with his vapor. Little droplets of water marked the dry porch wood. Patience blew a puff of air into his snout.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough of the outside for today,¡± she said, stepping to the door. The metal basin held in her slack arm scraped along in her wake to rest in the mudroom.


    Oppressed by the sun and persistent heat all day, the interior of the cottage was nearly as warm as outside. Patience leisurely returned the mounted specimens to their places around the house before entering her parents¡¯ room to dress the bed. From the wardrobe, she took out a set of linens they had recently purchased from Wiggum¡¯s. The strong smell of cedar wafted from the interior. A month before, Patience had transferred all her parents¡¯ old clothes and belongings to her room, and her things here.


    Patience paused at the foot of the bed. The bright mattress shone in the room, accentuating its newness. It was a fresh start.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°Well, here it goes,¡± breathed Patience.


    Now came the time to fully take this house as hers. The sheet unfurled with a flourish over the pristine surface. Patience tucked the bottom into place. Anax reached his tendrils to finish the other end. From the top of the dresser, she pulled off the pillows that had been stacked there earlier. They were also recently bought from Wiggum¡¯s. Patience slipped on new pillowcases, fluffed, and placed them. She straightened her stance, admiring the nearly completed bed.


    Henceforth this would be her and Schuler¡¯s room. This would be her, Anax¡¯s, and Schuler¡¯s home. Schuler had already begun transferring his possessions over gradually. Although he did not own much, it would not be long before clutter overtook them in this small cottage. Patience resolved to rotate out the taxidermy and skeletons, using the atelier as additional storage. She smiled thinking of Schuler¡¯s things coming into the house. Slowly they were building up their home around them.


    Patience moved toward the wardrobe for the summer quilt. Anax cinched her neck with a coil, ceasing her advance.


    ¡°Anax?¡±


    ¡°Why grab the quilt now? It¡¯ll just get in the way of us christening the new bed,¡± he rumbled.


    A tingle sparked down Patience¡¯s spine, tendrils chasing it along her skin. The hold on her neck tightened as he ushered her to the mattress. She keeled over onto the fresh sheets, the smell of clean linen and the sunbaked mattress underneath filling her nose. Anax stripped her clothes away. His vapor felt quite nice against her back. Her eyes grew heavy with burgeoning sleep until Anax prodded her to lay supine on the bed. Naked, her skin melted into the soft sheet. It was even better than the hotel beds she had slept in during her escapades. Sleep played over her eyes again.


    Smoky coils formed to gently brush along her sides.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we wait for Schuler?¡± asked Patience, folding her hands over her navel.


    ¡°You said he¡¯ll come home soon. We can play until then.¡±


    Her face heated.


    Determined to hear no more, Anax swept his tendrils over her chest, instantly coalescing into arms. Clawed hands raked her torso. The rest of his body formed beneath her, pushing her away from the sheets to give her an even softer surface on which to lie. Thick tendrils slid over her inner thighs, barely glancing against her slit, teasing. A small gasp left Patience¡¯s lips.


    ¡°We need to make the new bed taste like us!¡± he rasped.


    ¡°You¡¯re incorrigible.¡±


    Anax continued to run his tendrils around her body as his hands wrenched her breasts and hips. Patience rolled into his touch, yearning for more. His eye trained upon her mound. A coil slicked against the gap between her legs, drawing out a thin thread.


    ¡°Oho!¡± he chuffed. ¡°Let¡¯s see how much more you can make.¡±


    At a loss for words, Patience concentrated on an attempt to suppress the heat rising within. She could not submit this soon. Anax moved them into a seated position so he could better see south of her torso. A tendril clasped around her throat, holding her neck steady as she leaned back against the pillows. He purred in contentment. He continued to tease, pushing coils along her folds, but never making the move to enter.


    Patience twined her legs around Anax¡¯s, his clawed heels digging into the sheet with care not to rip them. With her legs spread, his mist found a wider space to rub. Her wet heat prompted Anax¡¯s tendrils to become slick and dense. Her arms reached backward to grasp Anax¡¯s thick neck below the edge of the skull where the mist formed. She enjoyed straddling his ropes, but the sensation caused her loins to ache.


    ¡°Haa-Anax,¡± she wheezed, bucking into his thickness. He pulled his appendage back. It pulsed but restrained from forming a complete member for insertion. Patience could not tell if it was glazed with her fluids or if it was purely him. When he pressed it back against her flesh, she heard a soft smacking. She groaned, her loins desperately sore with need.


    ¡°Anax,¡± she repeated.


    The hold around her neck tightened. ¡°Oh, no. You can¡¯t get off quite yet. Just think of Schuler,¡± he growled with a grin, if he could grin.


    Patience whimpered, her fingers latching onto the base of the skull. She pulled up to leverage her lower body, but Anax kept his connection solid. Indulging in the slick contact over his length, she heaved her hips upward. This earned a whine from Anax that lowered into a rumble.


    ¡°Behave,¡± he ordered, ceasing all movement.


    Patience breathed deeply, hoping the ache would fade away. She slackened on top of Anax¡¯s soft, solid body. The heat rising from her skin assimilated into the warm air of the room. Her head would swim were it not for Anax¡¯s cool vapor padding her scalp.


    ¡°That¡¯s my pet.¡±


    Anax resumed his wriggling. Patience stifled a cry. The soreness was almost agonizing at that point. She peered down to find multiple tendrils bound over her hips, preventing her from bucking. Anax¡¯s length pressed harder against her slit. She was positive her fluids coated his shaft by now. Gritting her teeth, she fought his hold to rock into the motions.


    Then came the distant sound of the front door opening followed by steps in the hallway. ¡°I¡¯m home!¡±


    Patience sighed in relief. Anax darkly chuckled, grasping her breasts with his claws. He propped her upright, shifting his legs apart to spread Patience even more. She felt the wet slide from her.


    ¡°Ah, there you a¡ª¡±


    Schuler stopped in his tracks at the threshold. His eyes blew wide open. Before him was Patience, aroused, and on full display. His gaze fell from the claws squeezing her chest down to her glistening gap attended by various writhing, slimy coils. Patience held out a hand to the man.


    ¡°Help us christen the new bed,¡± she purred.


    Schuler instantly began yanking off his tie and unbuttoning himself. His jacket and shirt flew across the room. In his haste, he fumbled with his pants, his erection pushing the fabric tightly. Once he was free of clothing, both Patience and Anax took hold of Schuler¡¯s arm and pulled him atop the bed.


    Schuler kneeled over them, passing a hand over his hair. He locked eyes with Patience and Anax, and smirked. Anax formed his cock, echoing the throbs of Schuler¡¯s own.


    ¡°I got her ready for you.¡±


    ¡°Well, thank you,¡± Schuler drawled.


    Patience smiled sweetly, cupping a hand to Schuler¡¯s cheek. Her other hand clasped Anax¡¯s claws over her chest.


    ¡°Enough talk, already,¡± said Patience.


    They fell upon her. God, she loved them.