The Eating Woods, #2
Eldritch
by Keri Lake
Contents
Chapter 1
Overview
Maevyth and Zevander recover Aleysia from a hidden cellar in the Crone Witch’s cabin. Unable to summon heat and short on vivicantem, Zevander watches as infected gather outside. Maevyth experiences a death-tinged vision, then Aleysia awakens with black eyes and attacks, forcing Maevyth toward a lethal choice before she blacks out.
Summary
Maevyth rages at the absent Crone Witch as Zevander restrains her from leaping into a floor cavity to reach her missing sister. Fearing infection, Zevander descends first and lifts Aleysia out. Aleysia appears human but is icy and unresponsive; a pulse confirms she lives. Maevyth insists on warming Aleysia in the Crone’s bed despite Zevander’s warnings.
Zevander’s flame glyph will not produce warmth, and he admits his powers are strained by a dwindling supply of vivicantem—what remains is laced with stimulants he stole from Anatolis. They choose body heat and blankets while Zevander keeps watch. Maevyth notes infected gathering outside and prays for Aleysia to wake.
As Maevyth dozes, she dreams of a bleak forest and a monstrous tree veined with a heartbeat-like glow. Faces trapped in the bark whisper, “Only death can save us,” as roots coil up and strangle her. The panic in the vision mirrors a choking pressure on her throat.
Maevyth’s eyes snap open to Aleysia looming over her with soulless black eyes, chanting in an unknown tongue while squeezing her neck. Torn between survival and love, Maevyth considers using her lethal blackened fingertips. A disembodied voice—Morsana—urges, “Kill her, Maevyth,” but Maevyth hesitates as her vision narrows to black.
Who Appears
- MaevythNarrator; rescues Aleysia, tries to warm her, endures a deathly vision, then is strangled by Aleysia and blacks out.
- ZevanderCompanion protector; retrieves Aleysia, warns of infection, cannot summon warmth, low on vivicantem, monitors infected outside.
- AleysiaMaevyth’s sister; found alive but freezing, later awakens with black eyes, chants and strangles Maevyth.
- The Crone WitchAbsent but central; her cabin hides Aleysia, prompting Maevyth’s fury and distrust of her motives.
- MorsanaDisembodied voice urging Maevyth to kill Aleysia during the attack.
- InfectedThreatening horde gathering outside the cabin, increasing pressure on Zevander and Maevyth.
- AnatolisDead scribe; mentioned as the source of Zevander’s stimulant-laced vivicantem.