“If you want me to go away, then force me to do so,” says the second Teschio. Up close, I can see the outline of bones underneath the thin grey fabric. Whoever these Teschio are, they’re skeletons or damned close to them.
“Become an Apprentice,” says the second Teschio. “Take over my body’s shell with your mind. Make me your puppet.” He grabs Hildy’s palm and sets it against his own. Immediately, Hildy’s young eyes turn all white, while her body falls limp as a rag doll. A moment later, the second Teschio strolls over to the wall, pulling out a busted femur from under one of the skulls. The end of the bone is sharp as a blade.
“Are you inside his body now, Hildegard?” asks the first Teschio.
“Of course I am,” replies the second, a twinge of hysteria in his voice. “You made me do it. You make me do everything.”
“Speech is a rather simple skill. Prove to me you have total control.”
“How about this?” The second Teschio takes the blade-sharp bone and plunges it into his own chest. He crumples forward, dead.
On the ground nearby, the young Hildy’s eyes return to their normal shades of blue and brown. She stares at the body of her teacher in disgust. “I killed him, okay? Is that good enough for you?”
“More than good enough, as a matter of fact.” The first Teschio leans over to examine the body beside him. “Of course, your clients won’t want you to kill them. Monopsyches only inhabit the body of a mark for very specific purposes. For example, you can take their pain if they’re tortured, or you can provide battle expertise in pinch. Remember that.”
“I don’t care,” cries the young Hildy. “I did what you wanted. Now, will you leave me alone?”
“No, now we’ll train you to become a Master,” says the Teschio. He walks slowly down the catacombs, leaving Hildy cuddling on the floor.
The grown-up Hildy stares at her younger self. “You don’t have to keep seeing this stuff if you don’t want to.”
Lincoln rests his hand gently on Hildy’s shoulder. “Myla and I had no idea it was like this. We’ll clean up the Wastelands as soon as possible. I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
“I’m sorry, too.” She exhales a long sigh. “Do you still want to know what I can do?”
Lincoln shoots me a questioning look, but if this can help Maxon, I’m all in.
“Yes, Hildy,” I say quickly. “Show us your next memory.”
# # #
The catacombs disappear, replaced by a small square room made of rough-hewn stone. Another Teschio stands in front of a grown-up version of Hildy. Her white leather coat is less damaged and worn. So is Hildy herself, somehow. A carefree light dances in her eyes. Inside her heart, this remembered Hildy is far younger than the one who visited us today.
What happened to her?
A growl sounds, distracting me. Against the far wall stands a demon, humanoid and gangly, with all white skin and an extra set of arms. The creature has no eyes, a pair of holes for a nose, and a mouth filled with pointed red teeth. The only thing that keeps it from tearing the Teschio and Hildy apart are enchanted manacles on its neck, hands and feet. I’d know that monster anywhere.
It’s a Cruor demon. They take the living to Hell where they torture and eventually consume their prey. My throat tightens with dread and pain. There’s only one reason you keep a Cruor demon chained up. You want to send someone to Hell, or threaten that you will.
My hands ball into angry fists. If these teachers are threatening students with Hell to get them to learn, I will go Scala on their ass so fast, they won’t know how they ended up in Armageddon’s torture pits. No one bypasses the Great Scala. I inhale a long breath, ready to make a speech to that effect when Lincoln takes my hand. All the pain in the world is in his eyes.
“Wait, Myla. It’s not what you think.”
“Okay.” Unfortunately, the look in his eyes says it’s far worse.
The present-day Hildy shrugs. “This is where I leave you. This memory will show you what you need to know, but I don’t need to be here for it, if that makes sense.”
“I get it,” I say. “I can do the same thing when I dreamscape.”
Hildy’s shoulders slump with relief. “Good. I’ll see you back in your chambers.” With that, she disappears. Now, only the memory-version of Hildy remains.
The Teschio glares at the empty doorway. “Our client is late, Hildegard. Find out where he is.”
The younger Hildy folds her arms over her chest. “I’m saving up my powers for the demonstration.”
“Please,” hisses the Teschio. “Casting a Looking Glass will take minimal effort for you. Don’t make me reconsider our deal. Freedom will be yours if you accept this one engagement.”
“Engagement? It’s a death wish. I said I’d talk to the guy, but I haven’t agreed to anything. If you didn’t have me magically bound to this place, I’d be long gone by now.”
“Ah, but we do have you bound. Cast the Looking Glass.”