Herbalists' Cache damson

that he spoke to hidden gods made him no ally.  qiao set her full attention upon him, noting the resonance in his voice and the way the black of his eyes seemed to swallow everything within it. 

she began to count the seconds. he was stronger — if he wanted, he could catch her. and if he could catch her, he could kill her. 

they are safe. she answered, matching the timelessness of his voice. she took one careful step back - he would not be allowed close. she had lived too long to allow her life to become forfeit. the obsidian of his eyes seemed to grow outward in a gathering cloud. 

what grows inside them? she was guarded then; surely he did not mean the sickness that claimed the children’s parents. of this, she was confident the reek of it would hang on their breath.