Chapter 23: Framework 1

Elania settled into a plush armchair in one of the estate’s guest rooms, her eyes following Yolani’s every move as the other girl worked her artifice magic on the windows and glass.

The room hummed with a subtle energy proclaiming the other girl’s skill and the [Divine Power] flowing through her as a Priestess of Artifice.

Elania couldn’t see any visible changes, but she could feel it—the wood and brittle glass transformed, taking on the durability of steel.

Her gaze drifted to the collar in her hands, the metal cool against her skin.

They’d purchased it from Arlois for fifty crit. It was a magic device that would allow their new guest a measure of freedom.

Freedom... Elania turned the word over in her mind, a bitter taste on her tongue.

Was it really freedom if it came with a collar?

But then again, wasn’t it better than being locked in a cage, denied the right to live at all? Elania’s thoughts churned, a storm of conflicting emotions.

“You’re being uncharacteristically quiet,” Yolani said, her eyes meeting Elania’s over her shoulder.

Elania blinked, drawn out of her thoughts. She offered a small smile, but it felt strained. “Just thinking.”

Yolani set down her tools, crossing the room to kneel before Elania.

She took Elania’s hands in her own, the collar nestled between their palms. “About the collar?”

Elania nodded, her throat tight. “I don’t like it,” she admitted. “But if we don’t use it, he’ll be locked away, or worse.”

Yolani squeezed Elania’s hands, her touch a comforting anchor. “It’s not ideal,” she agreed softly.

Elania turned the collar over in her hands again.

She looked up at Yolani, her eyes searching for an answer in her uncertainty. “Is it alright to use this?”

Yolani met her gaze. “I think it is the best choice.”

“I killed his parents,” Elania said softly. “I feel bad about it.”

Yolani was quiet for a moment, her eyes studying Elania’s face. “Did you need to kill them?”

Elania nodded, swallowing past the lump in her throat. “I did. I was doing my best to survive, and we fought a battle over ralfots.”

Yolani reached out, her hand resting on Elania’s knee. “You shouldn’t feel like you did anything evil.”

Elania’s expression turned into a weak smile. “I fed the cub part of the ralfot so it wouldn’t starve. I’m happy he survived.”

A knock at the door drew their attention, and Darius entered. “The guest has arrived.”

Elania stood up, squaring her shoulders. Yolani gave her a reassuring nod. “I’ll finish the cat-proofing.”

Elania descended the stairs, her footsteps echoing in the empty foyer.

She pushed open the front door, the heavy wood moving smoothly on its hinges. Outside, a linen-shrouded cage awaited her. A low growl erupted from within.

The Silvers escorting the cage nodded at her approach, their armor glinting in the morning sun. The leader stepped forward. “We can’t transfer custody until you’ve applied the bonding collar.”

Elania nodded, her fingers tightening around the collar in her hand. The Silvers unlocked the metal door, the hinges groaning as they swung it open. Elania slipped inside, the door clanging shut behind her.

The assault was as sudden as it was expected.

The weight of the darkwalker slammed into her palm, claws and teeth snapping at her with a hiss. The attack didn’t find its mark—she had already raised her [Demonic Aura] and tinted it into a physical shield clinging tightly to her skin.

He bounced off and retreated to the far corner of the cage.

The light filtering through the linen was gray and muted, casting shadows across the darkwalker’s fur. His yellow eyes glowed in the dimness, fixed unblinking on her.

She took a step forward. “I’m here to let you out of the cage,” she said, holding up the collar. “But you have to work with me.”

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The darkwalker hissed, his hackles rising. He crouched low, muscles coiled and ready to spring.

Elania’s heart raced, but she kept her expression neutral. She took another step, her movements slow and deliberate.

“I know you’re scared,” she said softly. “But I’m not here to hurt you.”

The darkwalker’s ears flattened against his skull, his tail lashing. He let out a low growl, the sound rumbling deep in his chest.

Elania held out the collar, the metal glinting even in the dim light.

A clang at the bars drew the attention and ire of both the cage’s inhabitants.

“Make it quick,” one of the Silvers said, their words a stern warning.

“Do that again, and I’ll rip it off, Silver or not,” Elania said, seething.

“Assault on a—”

She interrupted him. “I’m in a cage with a wild beast—that was attempted murder. I’m sure Arlois would understand. Either way, you’ll be missing an arm. Fuck off.”

The only reply was a shifting of metal armor before all went silent. Maybe they got the picture, maybe not.

The darkwalker let out a hostile hiss, blaming her for the exchange and resetting their progress. Not that there had been much.

Elania let out a weary sigh.

She locked gazes with the darkwalker, his yellow eyes burning with feral intensity. She took another step forward, the wagon creaking beneath her feet. The sound was a signal to attack, and he lunged at her again, a blur of fur, tooth, and claw.

For a moment, she was reminded of Tessa, the flash of confrontation all too familiar.

It wasn’t possible to spend enough time for him to get used to her, so her hand shot out to grab him by the neck. She used his own momentum to turn his leap into a throw that landed him on his back.

He kicked at her as she jumped on his middle, his back paws raking into her. The sharp claws found no purchase and slid off her like she was a solid piece of smooth metal.

“Sorry,” Elania muttered. With a swift motion, she slid the collar around the darkwalker’s neck, the metal sealing itself with a soft click.

His struggle ceased for a moment as he went limp beneath her.

She wasn’t sure exactly how the magic worked, but it was supposed to adjust its shape and tightness to the wearer to be comfortable and unobtrusive. It would also enforce and translate commands given by an authorized authority.

Elania climbed off him. He rolled onto his belly, his eyes fixed on her with a mixture of confusion, fear, and resignation.

Her hand hovered over the collar, fingers brushing against the cool metal. She could feel the magic thrumming through it, a subtle pulse of energy that seemed to attune to the darkwalker’s heartbeat.

It also earned her a snap, his teeth clamping down on her hand. He was lucky he didn’t chip a tooth.

“No bite,” Elania warned.

He released her, letting out a low growl.

Elania yelled to the guards, “I have the bonding collar on him!”

The shroud was lifted, eliciting a hiss from the darkwalker. The bars swung open, and the creature squirmed out, making a break for the door.

“Heel!” one of the guards shouted, and the darkwalker came to a sudden halt, his escape thwarted. He wheeled around, hissing at Elania and the Silvers as she emerged from the wagon.

“I can take it from here,” Elania said, nodding to the guards. She turned to the darkwalker. “Follow me.”

The creature hesitated, its eyes narrowing in defiance. But the collar glowed, and it reluctantly complied, falling into step behind her.

It was done.

She hoped they could be friends, that the darkwalker could learn to get along with everyone. Was she mimicking her mother? The woman had always been bringing home feral cats and trying to re-socialize them.

A pang of guilt pricked at her heart. She had been putting off the conversation she wanted to have with Yolani about them. Soon. Maybe. Later…

The Silvers departed, and Elania shut the estate gate behind them. The darkwalker darted ahead, leaping onto one of the fountains. He perched there, his tail lashing, eyes fixed on Elania.

She met his gaze. “You may not leave the estate,” she said, pointing to the iron-wrought fence that encircled the property.

The collar glowed again, registering the restriction.

The darkwalker’s ears flattened against its skull, a low growl rumbling in his throat. But he made no move to challenge the boundary, his eyes darting between her and the fence.

Elania watched as the darkwalker explored the estate’s gardens, his nose twitching as he sniffed the various plants and flowers.

He seemed to relish the quasi-freedom, bounding from one bush to another with a frenetic energy.

But her eyes couldn’t leave his neck. The collar around it was a stark reminder of the demon contracts she’d seen in Neftasu—used even now by the Towers in Contia.

She had mercifully avoided such a fate. But if she hadn’t, she would have hoped to be treated without cruelty or malice.

She shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside.

This was different. The collar was a necessary precaution, a way to ensure the safety of everyone. He wasn’t sapient—and was dangerous—and that was a critical distinction.

“Hey,” she called out. The darkwalker’s ears perked up, his yellow eyes fixing on her. “You may not claw or bite or hurt any humans or creatures that aren’t causing you damage. And you may never claw or bite me or Yolani hard enough to draw blood. Understand?”

The collar glowed, registering her words. The darkwalker cocked his head, seeming to consider for a moment before turning back to the plants, his attention already wandering.

Elania sighed, running a hand through her hair.

A window above them creaked open, drawing both Elania and the darkwalker’s attention. Yolani leaned out, her raven hair fluttering in the breeze. “The room’s ready!”

Elania nodded and turned to the darkwalker, gesturing for him to follow. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

The creature hesitated, his eyes narrowing. He tugged against the collar, testing the limits of the bond. But after a moment, he relented, falling into step behind her.

The cultist staff and Darius stood in the foyer, their eyes wary as they took in the creature’s imposing form. The darkwalker growled, his hackles rising, and the staff shrank back.

Elania sighed, turning to the darkwalker. “Follow me,” she commanded firmly. She glanced at the staff, an apologetic smile on her face. “Sorry about that. He’s still adjusting.”

The darkwalker sniffed the stairs, nose twitching as he took in the unfamiliar scents. Elania led the way, climbing the steps with a determined stride. The creature followed, his claws clicking against the polished wood.

Yolani was waiting in the guest room, her green eyes bright with curiosity. Elania gestured to the darkwalker, a wry smile on her face. “Yolani, meet our new guest.”

The darkwalker prowled around the room, his yellow eyes darting from one corner to another. He paused at the window, his claws scrabbling against the glass.

With a sudden lunge, he threw his weight against the pane. He thumped heavily and bounced off in a scramble of claw and fur.

Yolani raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice. “Well, that didn’t take long.”