Page 25 of Solivagant
“Twelve.”
The creature, presumably female, drooled over itself as it stared at nothing, hands occasionally twitching in the restraints.
“Why do you keep it chained?”
“That isn’t the human you’re here for, is it?”
I rolled my eyes. “So I ask again what you want for it.”
“Depends what it’s worth to you.”
“To me? Nothing.”
Her smile widened. “I believe you. Though it was worth every other soul in Khorli’s possession to him. Wasn’t it? So, I suppose the question I should ask is, what is he worth to you?”
My jaw clenched. “Nothing.”
She hummed. “See, that time, I didn’t believe you. This will all be over much faster if you’re honest with me.”
“I am being honest with you.”
“If you believe that, then you’re not being honest with yourself.” Her gaze flicked to my neck. “He give you that?”
“Does it matter?”
“So he did.”
“I don’t see what that has to do with anything. You can either reincarnate the soul, or you can’t. What’s it matter what it’s worth to me? It’s the same level of effort for you.”
“The cost isn’t determined by the effort it takes me, it’s determined by what it means to you.”
“And I told you, nothing.”
“Yet here you are. So try again.”
I grunted, pulling my braid between my fingers as I gave it my attention instead.
She was frustratingly patient, refusing to speak again or move the conversation along.
“I’ll give you ten souls,” I snapped. “That should cover just about anything, shouldn’t it? Ten souls in exchange for one is more than generous.”
“Is that what he’s worth to you?”
“I told you, the human—”
“Khorli. Is he worth ten souls?”
I huffed. “How should I know that? I’m not in the business of allocating soul value to everyone I know. Seems a pathetic way to live.”
She laughed.
“What’s funny?”
“You hide behind a façade of superiority to conceal vulnerability.”
I scoffed, heat rising inside me. “What vulnerability?”
“The one etched into the skin on your neck. Tell me, child, what did it feel like when he crushed his fist around it? Did you fear he’d kill you?”
