®The Witch and the Beast es propiedad de Kousuke Satake.
Necklace
"Guideau"
The feral girl looked up. Her beastly eyes fixed on him, and for a second Ashaf felt a shiver run down his spine. His new partner was certainly different from anything he had seen before, and he wondered if that look of hate and vengeance would ever change.
"Your training ends tomorrow," he began to explain. "Then I will take you to your new home. We'll keep a low profile there, so please wear this when you're out in public."
Guideau held her palm open and frowned deeply. She held the small object between her fingers and examined it with studying eyes. Ashaf took out a cigarette and took a drag.
"It's a necklace. I've imbued it with magic. It'll cover the mark on your neck."
Guideau struggled with the strap until Ashaf put his cigarette on an ashtray and asked the necklace back.
"May I?"
Guideau gave him a suspicious look, then handed the accessory back with a low growl.
"Turn around."
Guideau obeyed.
"I'll move your hair out of the way and secure the necklace. Is that all right?"
Guideau made a dismissive gesture, indicating her approval. Ashaf gently gathered her long blonde hair and swept it over her left shoulder. He then carefully placed the necklace around her neck, a plain black leather strap. After fastening the clasp, he stepped back and reached for his cigarette.
Guideau reached up to touch the necklace, then ran her fingers along her neck. She gazed at her reflection in a small hand mirror that Ashaf had set up for her. Brushing her hair away, she let it fall down her back as usual. Her amber eyes widened in shock as she noticed the mark that usually covered most of her neck was gone. She tilted her head back and forth, but there was no trace of it.
"...!"
Running her fingers around her neck again, she let her hand go and set her face in its usual annoyed expression.
"How? It's smaller than the mark," she observed.
"Indeed," Ashaf smiled. "It's a simple spell."
Guideau gestured for Ashaf to raise the mirror again so she could see herself again.
"I've made some more," the mage said, pulling out a black satin box. "Use them as the occasion demands."
Guideau took the small box and inspected it immediately. Inside were half a dozen more necklaces, each unique in style.
"Try not to tear them. If you take them off, the mark will reappear"
"..."
Guideau unconsciously put her hand to her neck. Then she closed the box and took it to her bedroom, where she packed the rest of her clothes, wanting to break contact as soon as possible.
(A part of her wanted to feel his fingers on her skin again, and she was taken back to the day she had tasted Falvell's tea for the first time, and all she knew was that she wanted another cup. And another, and another. Guideau wondered if perhaps this time there was some kind of spell involved, or if, like Falvell's tea, this new tingling sensation and longing she felt when he touched her had a name)
And now, finally, a collection that does apply to the title "Of beasts and mages"