A flash of lightning passed through the curtains of the room. Raindrops pelted the roof and window, while the gale outside howled loud enough to make the floorboards shake. The Spire By Fire was a favorite spot more so for its convenience than its quality.

Laudna’s heavy lids opened. She was restless, but she wasn’t alone in that, she suspected. Her bones crackled as she sat up in bed and looked beside her to see Imogen wide awake, a tension in her body keeping her alert.

“Can’t sleep?” Laudna asked. “Is it those dreams again?”

Imogen smiled, relaxing her stressed muscles. Few people knew about the things that plagued her, and of them Laudna was the only one she felt comfortable enough to confide in.

“It’s not that.” She admitted. “It’s just my head, y’know? I might have overdone it a little today is all. I keep hearing them next door. Try as I might, I just can’t shut them out.”

The “them” Imogen referred to was the rest of their adventuring party. Orym, Fearne, Dorian, FCG, Ashton and Chetney were all sharing the room next to them. They knew that Imogen needed her space, but maybe not quite how bad that need was.

“Well perhaps I can help with that.” Laudna offered. “I’m not as prepared as I’d have liked, but I have been working on a new technique lately that should help ease your suffering. You know how I hate to see you like this.”

“Really, Laudna?” Imogen looked hopeful. “I mean, that’d jus’ be great. I’ll try anything if it gives me a lil’ peace an’ quiet.”

Laudna expected that Imogen’s “anything” might not have covered what she had in mind, but to her credit, the sorceress listened intently as Laudna explained things; doubt never once crossing Imogen’s face.

“Well, I mean, if you think it’ll work.” Imogen answered. “I’m not afraid to give it a go. Jus’ maybe not tell the others ‘bout this, OK?”

Laudna swore to keep it between them as she swept their bedsheets away and then kneeled upon the mattress as if she was going to pray.

Crckkk!!! Crackkk!!!!

The undead girl cricked her neck and unhinged her jaw, stretching the pale skin of her cheeks as she gripped her chin and pulled down, forcing her mouth to open far wider than it should be allowed. A dark abyss stared Imogen in the face. She ought to have been surprised, but if there was anyone alive that was capable of this, it was Laudna.

“So I just crawl on in, is that right?” She drawled.

Laudna nodded, thinking in her mind “Head on in”. With her jaw open like this, the mental connection between them was their only means to communicate.

Imogen steadied herself to take the plunge. Her hands went in first, finding purchase on Laudna’s tongue and inching deeper as she began to crawl inside. It wasn’t spacious, but she was able to fit her entire body in there – if only just.

“Oh gosh.” She gagged when a wave of humid air washed over her. “Laudna, your breath stinks!”

“Well what did you expect?” Laudna thought back. “But for the record, you taste delicious.”

Without warning, Laudna upturned her head and gulped. Gravity (and Laudna’s tongue) pressured Imogen in the fleshy pipe of the warlock’s throat. It was tight. Very tight. A bulge appeared on Laudna’s neck, distending it massively as, gulp by gulp, Imogen was turned to a spit-moistened lump of food on a slow but certain trip.

Things were hardly better when she reached Laudna’s stomach, plopping into it with a measured slide. Imogen couldn’t get the image of an egg yolk being cracked into a pan out of her head. That’s how wet and viscous her arrival was.

The space inside was tiny. Imogen struggled to right herself to where she thought up was. Stomach juices drenched her, soaking her hair and face, clinging to them a rotting smell that almost made her gag again. It wasn’t comfortable in the least, but just as she was going to chalk this up as a failed effort, she realized something important.

The thoughts.... They were gone. For the first time in as long as she could remember, the intrusion of minds had fallen silent.

“Laudna, can you still hear me?” She thought. “I think it worked. It’s so peaceful in here. I can’t hear anything.”

There was no answer. Either her connection to Laudna had also been severed, or else she was being ignored. But why?

An ominous gurgle startled her. That’s right. Intentions aside, she was still in someone’s belly. It was warm. The tightness increased. It felt like she was being squeezed. The juices gathering below her were rising, sizzling away at her leathers.

“Uh, Laudna....?” Fear crept into her voice. “You sure this is safe? No offense, but your guts don’t smell the nicest.”

Still no answer. Imogen gulped, wondering if perhaps this wasn’t the wisest course of action as the acids burned through her clothes.

Snores filled the rented room, puncturing the sound of thunder. Laudna was fast asleep; a limp arm cradling her massively swollen belly. The fullness of eating Imogen was too much after a very long and difficult day. Sweet dreams took her, whisking her away to a blissful night and what would be a very startling morning.