The human gave her a cursory glance and joined Zafira on the other side of the room.

“Such a sweet boy. It appears he doesn’t want to leave my company.” She slipped her arm around his waist and pulled him in closer. She followed it up with a kiss to the forehead, just to make her point abundantly clear. “You, on the other hand, barged into my home and attempted to take away a friend of mine in the middle of the night.”

“He doesn’t belong here. I will take him back to Gaia.”

“Go back to your village and I will overlook this incident.”

Kiri squared her body to Zafira and clenched her hands into fists. “No. I saw what you did to the other humans. I can’t allow you to continue with these transgressions.”

“Oh, I can’t?” Zafira released the man and approached her. “That sounded like a threat. Are you sure you can still call yourself an Alseid or has the light already left you?”

“I’m not going to fight you.”

“Come and join me.” Zafira raised her hand, eyes darkening. “The Alseid don’t cherish your gifts as I do. You can help us make the universe a better place.”

“You do?” Kiri took a step. She squeezed her lids shut, pressed her hands at her ears and screamed as loud as she could.

Come, come, come, the words repeated. She wanted to give in to the promise. The voice resonated, overriding her own will. Kiri shoved back, only to have its grip tighten around her body.

Kiri opened her eyes and found Zafira beside her. The woman leaned in and kissed her. A blissful calm washed over her. The kiss ended all too quickly and Kiri felt at a loss. When their lips parted, her emotions whirled inside and demanded she continue. She stared back with flat features. The world grew dim.

“That’s better,” Zafira said, rubbing Kiri’s arms. “Why don’t you wait here until I return.”

Darkness engulfed Kiri. A deep, impenetrable black. Nothingness. Kiri was completely bare, fueled only by the lust for Zafira’s voice. Without it, she did not exist. She could not be without Zafira.

“Step aside, Zafira.” A familiar voice lost in the distance.

A light appeared in Kiri’s vision and cast away the darkness. It reinvigorated and returned her control over her body.

Kiri fell to her knees and hugged herself. The nightmare lasted mere moments but the impression left behind daunted her. She had so easily given herself up entirely to Zafira. Kiri cast a quick glance around.

Zafira moved back to where the human stood. He didn’t move but Kiri noticed the tremors raging though his muscles. They had gone through the same.

“Enough of your tricks,” Lefaljac said as she entered the room. The Elder knelt beside Kiri, stroking back the bangs of hair that had fallen loose. “You’ll be all right. Come, let us go home.”

“You ought to teach this one some manners,” Zafira said. She laid a hand on her chest. “She threatened me. I had to defend myself against her aggressions.”

Lefaljac helped Kiri rise to her feet. Her head still throbbed, but she was glad Lefaljac was there and felt stronger than she did before.

“She killed the humans. I-I saw the remains in the spider nest.” Kiri’s eyes become teary but she couldn’t be weak again. Not in front of Zafira. She steeled her nerves and stood up straight. “She still holds this one captive.”

Zafira moved to block the doorway. “Spiders eat many things, not all of which I can control.”

“What have you become Zafira?” Lefaljac said. “I don’t recognize you any more. Leave this foolishness behind and return with us to Pilamo.”

“I’m afraid that time has come and passed. Take him if you insist on stealing everything from me.” Zafira said, moving aside. “I haven’t forgotten.”