Chapter 31: Antennae tickled his lips

Chapter 31: Antennae tickled his lips

Dantes was in a darkness so black that his darkvision couldnt pierce it. He could hear the sounds of skittering in the dark all around him. He could feel the small steps of a million legs all across his body, his arms, his eyelids. Normally the sensation would make him flail in disgust and terror, but in this case it felt like hed been tucked into a warm blanket. He stayed still, acknowledging, but not struggling against the sensations that surrounded him.

Youexpected this, the voice was a whisper, seeming to be spoken directly into his ear, the words formed with great difficulty.

In spite of the roaches that covered his face, he didnt hesitate to open his mouth and speak. Id hoped to meet you, yes.

The legs moving across him sped up slightly, the roaches began to dig into his hair, their antennae tickling his scalp..

Youdesireblessing?

Yes, he said as antennae tickled his lips.

Wewouldbe...yoursecond.

Yes. Though I mean no disrespect.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

The writhing became more erratic in a way that Dantes recognized as laughter? Amusement? He wasnt certain.

Weareusedtotherat godsleftovers.

Im glad youre a good sport about it.

Yesopenmouthwide.

Dantes did so without hesitation. He felt a single massive roach climb up his chin and down his throat. He felt its legs move it down his esophagus as it shifted and tore through his throat, slowly toward his right forearm, right above the ratmark. He began to writhe and scream, his big talk overwhelmed by the sheer agony he was experiencing, but he was held down by the weight of the roaches on top of him, and his voice was muffled as they crawled over his mouth.

Once the roach reached his arm, he felt a searing pain as if he was being branded from the inside. His own screaming woke him.

Mez smiled. Just one, Vor.

Televor, or Erevor?

Mez shrugged, No clue. Your names represent nothing. It makes it difficult to remember them.

Dantes nodded. They were both blonde half elves, so it wouldnt do to describe them to Mez for a clearer answer, since he likely hadnt paid that much attention to their looks in the first place. He also didnt feel like investigating further because if it was Tel, hed have to beat him or rob him or something along those lines to keep the tally even. He respected the attempt either way, so decided to leave without pressing things further. If he knew it was him hed have to do something about it, but as long as he didnt it meant he wouldnt have to retaliate. All of this made complete sense to him, but Jacopo who now existed as a part of him, was thoroughly confused as the thoughts moved through both of their heads.

Dantes opened the sacks of fruit for Mez to inspect while they went over a few additional details. Once he was done, he started moving back through the caverns and crevices of the Pit through to the Collared. The trek was uneventful, though he had to avoid a half dozen skitterlings that had taken up residence in one of his usual pathways. Hed hoped to be able to communicate with them as he could with roaches, as they just appeared to be a larger variant, but like with the jumping spider hed fought, he had no luck.

The collared guards greeted him with much friendlier nods this time. It was incredible what a bit of booze and a business deal could do for peoples moods. He climbed his way up to Tels room, noticing that the dice game wasnt active that day, and smacked the wall a few times to let him know hed arrived.

Tel peeked out shortly after and smiled.

Dantes, Undermarket time?

He nodded.

Tel held up a finger, and went back into his cell. There was some shuffling and other noises, and he reappeared dressed in a freshly cleaned robe with a small pouch on his waist along with a shiv that Dantes didnt recognize.

Dantes shook his head. The pouch is a bad idea, too easy to steal.

Tel smiled more widely. Pouch is a decoy. Learned from some of the older guys how to do some sewing and made some new pockets in my robe.

Dantes chuckled. I know you were a deviant back on the surface, but you're swiftly becoming a true bastard down here.

Ive had good examples to follow. Shall we go?

Dantes nodded, and they headed into the path to the undermarket.