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It felt like hair—much more than the doll had.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, I’m not doing this right now,” Gwen grumbled.
She wiggled her fingers past the hair and wrapped her fingers around the scroll case. Once free, Gwen quickly pulled the parchment loose. The moment she had, the dim candlelight in the room flared and revealed perfect text to her.
My bittersweet,
If you’re reading this, it means the clock has started ticking. You wanted to know why I needed a warlock. The answer, to put it simply, is because I’m trapped and the Antiquarium is my punishment. It’s a place even more mysterious than I am. Every item is haunted by a restless spirit that I must govern. I am to spend eternity selling every single bonded object in this place, only for them to come back, and the cycle starts anew.
As part of this punishment, I can’t move outside of the Antiquarium unless I have a tether to the outside world. You, my gorgeous girl, are that tether. That day I manifested inside of your apartment, was the first time I had been outside of the Antiquarium in centuries. For a moment, I was ableto breathe again, so you can imagine my disappointment when you simply wanted to waste away inside.
Our bond is still weak. I can’t move as freely as I would like. In order to do so, our connection needs to be stronger. You carry the Mark of a Demon, and I have given you the Aspect of a Demon, but in order to fully cement our bond, you must fulfill the Soul Covenant. Which brings us to the doll.
If you complete the doll, you will be bonded to me forever. I know you hate the thought, but it is not without rewards. Like I said, I can be generous to those who are good to me. And you were awfully good to me just now, weren’t you? My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
I can’t teach you how to wield your particular talent for feeding, but I can gift you things you may find useful. Things that make it easier to go unseen, things that allow you to keep those who wish you harm at a distance. And maybe things you haven’t seen in quite some time … When you go home, lay this scroll in the spider nest and wait. They’ll know what to do. Your first gift will be waiting there. Perhaps if you like it, you might consider finishing the doll.
The Antiquarium will disappear in three days. I can already feel it loosening its hold in this place. Where it will turn up next, I don’t know. I could be in California or I could be in Bangkok.
But make no mistake, my bittersweet. Even if you refuse me, I’ll never leave. One way or the other, I will be there. Lurking over your shoulder, hidingbeneath your bed until you are old and gray. And even when you become just a memory, I’ll still be there. You will never be rid of me.
So, what will you do, Gwen?
Will you accept my gifts—accept me? Or will you continue to live in the shadow of your humanity?
Like I said when we met, It’s entirely up to you whether you accept it or not.
But you have to choose.
-A.
30
Critical
Gwen
Sheneededsour worms.
The craving had hit her the moment she had finished reading the scroll, but before the Antiquarium had shunted her from the room. Gwen hadn’t realized it had done it until the wind got knocked out of her, back slamming into a brick wall in the alley.
That had fuckinghurt.
Her vision blurred, and for a moment, she swore the wall of the antique shop slowly solidified. By the time her vision cleared, Gwen had managed to get to her feet. She collected her bag—which thankfully had slammed through layers of wall with her—and shoved the scroll inside. Once securely on her back, Gwen had hurried out of there.
Sour worms.
It was better to think about that particular craving than the alternative. Preferable to feel the sweat build on her skin as she skated beneath the hot sky. Gwen tookadvantage of the small inclines and used sidewalks she knew were newer. Anything to get her to her destination as fast as she could.
Sour worms.
The thought buzzed in her mind—a purposeful distraction as Gwen finally made it to the familiar parking lot. It was past dinnertime, but the sun wouldn’t set for another few hours. Which meant Gwen could linger at the pharmacy if she wanted. At least, that had been the plan until Gwen saw it.
Neutral red and yellow, the giant signs in the front door of Master Basting made Gwen’s eyes go wide. It wasn’t supposed to happen now, not so soon!
With a rush, she skated inside, eyes darting for anyone she knew. Upon spotting Catie at the register, Gwen flew to the end of the conveyor belt, making the younger woman jump.
“Why are there ‘Going Out of Business’ signs in the front windows?” Gwen demanded.