Overture Downs something wicked this way comes

The creature crept close on spindly legs and Aquillius began shaking.

It could see him, it could see his black stained soul, and he skittered backwards like a spooked colt, ears falling back to his head and his teeth flashing the same bone white.

I do not know what you are saying! He tried to sound tough, tried to invoke his father, or Mars, or whatever gods out there that didn’t want to skin him and put his pelt out in front of their door.

My-My soul is-isn’t black! But it was, and the creature and Aquillius both knew this.

W-What even is a svart?