Seth and the nail

Seth glanced over his shoulder at Grandpa. He stood motionless except for the quivering hand clutching the flashlight.

  "Shine the light on the thing in the corner," Seth said. The beam was currently aimed at the cluttered table.

  Grandpa offered no response. He did not move.

  And then a voice spoke, deeper than any voice Seth had ever imagined, slow and labored, as if on the brink of death.

  "You. . . do. . . not. . . fear. . . me?"

  Seth squinted at the web-shrouded shape in the corner. "Of course I do," he said, stepping closer. "But my friends said you wanted to speak with me. "

  The figure stirred, making the cobwebs ripple and dust plume into the air. "You. . . do not. . . feel. . . fear. . . as you did. . . in. . . the grove?" The speaker sounded sad and tired.

  "With the revenant? How do you know about that? I don't feel fear like I did there. The fear there was uncontrollable. "

  The figure shifted again. One of the largest sheets of cobweb tore, billowing lazily. The rumbling voice gained a little strength. "Your grandsire. . . is in the grip of such fear now. Take. . . his light. . . and come closer. " Seth walked over to Grandpa, who had yet to move. Seth poked him gently in the ribs, but got only a slight twitch as a reaction. Why was Grandpa so incapacitated? Was Graulas directing magic specifically at him? A devious part of Seth's mind wished that Grandpa would remain like this, so he wouldn't get in trouble if they made it out alive. Seth yanked the flashlight from his grasp.

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  "First consider what happened to you. Why do you suppose that only you can discern the shades of your friends?"

  "Did the nail do that to me?"

  Graulas leaned back and closed his eyes, a pained expression flashing across his revolting features, as if he was coping with a sudden surge of agony. After a moment, he spoke, dark eyes still squeezed shut. "The talisman left its mark on you. Be glad you did not touch the nail with your flesh, or it would have taken possession of you. You have been enabled to see certain dark properties that are invisible to most eyes. And you have acquired an immunity to magical fear. "

  "Really?"

  "My presence inspires a paralyzing horror in humans, similar to the aura that surrounded the revenant. Exuding terror is part of my nature. Look to your grandsire if you harbor any doubt. "

  Seth stood up, shaking his arms and flexing his fingers. "I really don't feel scared. I mean, I'm worried that you might be tricking me, and that you might kill me and Grandpa, but I don't feel petrified like with the revenant. "

Chapter 13