Where the Dark Stands Still

The next morning, Liska discovers that a skrzat has taken up residence in the kitchen and tidied the room for her. The Leszy takes his breakfast in the kitchen with her, and she expresses curiosity about his magic. He explains that he can pass fragments of his power into the objects he touches, imbuing them with temporary souls. The Orlicans’ pagan ancestors worshiped primordial demons, and the language used by these old gods is still used to cast spells.

To thank Liska for saving his life, the Leszy offers to give her something using his nearly limitless powers. She requests a garden with enough food to last them the winter. Liska is awed by the enchanted garden the Leszy creates and smiles at him, feeling unafraid of his power for the first time. She asks him if there were other humans at the manor before her, and he admits that he’s had other companions before warning her not to pry into his past.

A few days later, Liska tries to make the midnight door reappear with her magic, but internalized guilt and shame prevent her from succeeding. She remembers Father Paweł telling her that “women are more susceptible to temptations of darkness” and urging her never to use her power (78).