Page 37 of Eternal Surrender

“Listen!”

I tried to pick up on what he was hearing.

“Can I stay with you?” he asked.

My expression answered before I could. His shoulders slumped.

“How did you become one?” I asked.

“You have to die first.” He raised a pointed claw and pointed it my way. “Snowstrom knows how to reverse it.”

It suddenly dawned on me that Paradom was probably mad, and I wanted to kick myself for taking him seriously.

I studied him carefully. “How long before you. . . became this?”

He held up his withered hand before his face.

“How long do I have?” I pushed.

Paradom seemed to be counting on his fingers. “I think about. . .” More counting.

My legs weakened. “What were the first signs?” I barely got the words out.

He leaned forward, his expression riddled with confusion as though remembering.

“I will find a way back,” I mumbled.

His nose twitched. “You’ll need the scrolls.”

“Yes, the scrolls?” I cringed, realizing he’d just read my mind again.

“Aren’t you hungry?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“The Stone Masters have them,” he muttered.

“The Stone Masters have the scrolls?” Frowning, I tried to relax my facial muscles, but with the dank smell mixed in with the rotting aroma, it was hard.

“When you find the scrolls will you help me to reverse?” he asked.

“Yes. Now are you sure they’re with the Stone Masters? This is very important.”

“They have it all. All the books. All the letters. All the scrolls.”

I drew closer.

“They have the finest library,” he said, as though remembering. “I’m not allowed in there anymore.” He let out a sob.

“I’ll find the scrolls.” I took a step back. “And then I’ll come back for you. I promise, Paradom.”

The longest primal howl escaped his curled lips.

I gestured my goodwill, trying to calm him.

“He visits me once in a while and lets me drink from him.” He pointed to the collection of oddities behind him. “He brings me those.”

“Who does?”