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He looked away, his hand curling at his side. For a moment, his claws retracted, and Ruby startled. She didn’t know he could do that.

Then the Bygone cracked its neck and looked at her again. “I will do this.”

“Thank you,” Ruby breathed. Relief and horror surged through her all at once. The deal was sealed, and she could feel the magic knitting the promise into existence. There was only one thing left to do.

“I’m ready,” she declared.

She closed her eyes and waited. Shadows drifted up from rotting leaves and curled sickeningly around her ankles. Strange, unfamiliar birdsong trilled in the distance. If she had to die in this awful place, she hoped it would be quick.

Seconds passed. Nothing happened.

The Bygone spoke up, faintly amused. “Tell me, mortal. What do you think I plan to do to you?”

Ruby opened her eyes and stifled a shriek.

He was looming over her. Shadows crept out from under his mask, brushing her cheek. They weren’t cold like she expected. But they weren’t warm either. They felt like… nothing. Little strips of nothing curling over her cheek.

The Bygone’s jaw dropped open. A devastatingly long, pink tongue dripped out of his mouth and trailed along her neck.

Ruby drew in a ragged breath. But before she could scream, his tongue slipped back into his mouth.

“Mortal,” he rumbled. “I asked you a question.”

Ruby flinched. “You’re… you’re going to eat me?”

The Bygone hummed again like he had been thinking about it. But before Ruby could brace herself, the shadows retreated behind his mask.

He turned away.

“Little witch,” he commanded, not bothering to glance back as he stalked through the shadowy trees. “Follow me.”

Two

The mortal stared at the portal that was fizzing in the middle of the shadowy tree like it was going to attack her.

“Where are we going?” she asked timidly.

“Nowhere,” Slate replied. “We are waiting for someone to come to us.”

“Oh.” The mortal swallowed, fidgeting with her thick cloak. “Who?”

“My brother,” Slate replied, his tail flicking in irritation. “Do you always ask so many annoying questions?”

She fell silent—for about five seconds.

“Did you steal him?”

“The dog spirit?” he realized. “No. Why do you look surprised?”

The witch attempted to wipe the shock off her face. “It’s just… what you do. Right? The dreaded Bygone, stealing people from forest paths. Then you eat them.”

Slate laughed, making the witch jump.

“Is that what they told you?” Slate asked. “I am aguide. This is the void of wanderers. I lead souls where they are supposed to be. When I must eat, I do it outside my void.”

Unless you didn’t bind me,he thought.Then I would have had you for breakfast.

The mortal was quiet again, to his relief.