His fingers blurred through the air, drawing concentric circles of interlocking, ancient script that floated between them in radiant, iridescent silver-black fire.
The contract expanded to the size of a war-banner, dense with unyielding clauses: absolute obedience to the Current Soul Warden, immediate execution upon deceptive intent, total forfeiture of personal secrets, and eternal service as the Castle Steward of Floor 25.
Valeria stared at the floating, self-sustaining matrix, her amber eyes wide with genuine awe.
"You mastered the weave on the first attempt..." she breathed, shaking her head. "No hesitation. No flaw in the execution loop. You really are an impossible bastard."
"Sign," Jack commanded coldly. "Or I walk through the gate alone."
Valeria didn't hesitate. She bit the tip of her spiritual thumb, drawing a drop of glowing, crimson soul-blood, and pressed her hand flat against the center of the floating silver-black matrix.
FLASH.
