Chapter 48: Pact

Tavin watched in helpless horror as Noben, the God of Death, placed his free hand before Baelon’s face. The world around them started shifting, the scattered trails of Baelon’s black miasma drawn to the god’s hand. It condensed around the god’s splayed fingers for a moment before streaming into Baelon’s open eyes and mouth, his skin bubbling as he was renewed with the power of a god.

When it ended, Baelon collapsed to his hands and knees, coughing and choking as he gasped for breath. The God of Death watched him impassively, his features unreadable. Tavin struggled to move, to act before it was too late, but the god’s presence paralyzed his muscles as if they were chained in iron. After what felt like an eternity, Baelon mustered the strength to return to his feet, his expression wild and drunk with power.

The God of Death turned to face Tavin, and just as his hollow, eyeless gaze locked onto him, Tavin heard something: laughter.

A woman’s laughter.