"I appreciate the offer," Veylith replied carefully, her hands still glowing with prepared magic, "but I was merely passing through. I apologize for entering your territory without permission."
Lord Viremont's companions laughed, a sound like breaking glass and dying screams. "Passing through?" one of them called. "Nothing passes through the Nightmare Realm without paying the toll, witch."
"Indeed," Viremont agreed, his predatory smile widening. "The toll for safe passage is a taste of that delicious witch blood. Surely a reasonable price for our... protection."
Veylith knew that tone well enough to recognize the true meaning. She wasn't being offered safe passage, she was being invited to become dinner. Her response was immediate and devastating.
"Drowned Veil Technique," she whispered, and the world shifted around her.
