Page 14 of Where Exorcists Cannot Lie

Observing other men at their meals never did anything for me; at times, I even found it off-putting. But somehow Inuel bloody Morhh flipped my normal on its head.

Without a word, I got up again, this time to offer him a serving of soup. On second thought, I poured myself a small portion, too. Inuel’s appetite had somehow revived my own. I cut us a few slices of bread, and I retook my place at the table.

We ate together, sharing a meal just like we used to. For a moment, that made me happy. Until reality hit. A strong feeling of nostalgia coiled in my chest, driving me into yet another mood swing.

Therefore, it didn’t go down well with me when upon finishing, Inuel directed a sheepish smile my way. “Gods, that was delicious. I remember you used to make this soup back in Ghadarra.”

I let my spoon drop into my bowl with an ear-piercing clank. Having leaned back in my chair, I said, “So a miccorah, eh? Still into your tavern fights, are you?”

Inuel’s cheeks coloured. “No. It was nothing like that.”

The mean side of me rejoiced at getting a rise out of him, so I pushed it. “Come on. You must’ve done something to get a rage demon to curse you. That’s a feat, even for you. Nobody risks blasting a Grade-Four offence on a whim. What was it? Did you perhaps disappear without a word on him?” My laugh rang with bitterness. Once I let my tongue loose, there was no biting it.

That same look of hurt I’d spotted on his face earlier reappeared.

“Listen,” Inuel said in a low tone, “I know I fucked up. I can’t take it back. I understand I’m not your favourite person and you don’t want me here. And trust me, the last thing I want is to intrude on you. Or further upset you. If I could, I would’ve taken my shit and left you well alone. But for the next twenty-eight days, we’re stuck here together, all right? There’s nothing I can do about that. Can’t we just try to get on?”

“You’re really good at that, aren’t you, Inuel Morhh? Leaving?” I blurted, my anger reigniting.

He dropped his chin and pressed his palms onto the table, his knuckles white. “I’m sorry, Taz. I’m sorry I hurt you. I really am. I hope you can forgive me one day.”

The fact he looked straight into my eyes and came out with it–—and that he was telling the truth—knocked the figurative blade out of my hand. Had he been lying, he’d have been writhing in pain on the other side of that table.

I let out a slow, noisy exhale.

Inuel had a point. The magical wards of the sanctuarium wouldn’t let either of us out before completing our term within the barrier. Whoever entered the retreat became locked within for thirty days. Whether we liked it or not, we were trapped together for the duration in this restricted space. Somehow, we had to find a way of coexisting. I couldn’t spend that whole time wallowing in bitterness and rancour. The entire purpose of my being there revolved around healing my aura and getting rid of resentment, not nurturing it.

Moreover, I’d shared some of the blame for the disaster of our relationship. Yes, Inuel had split my heart in two. But what had I anticipated? Everyone knew Alpha Demons didn’t do commitment. They didn’t stick around. Expecting to change someone’s nature only affirmed the attempter’s idiocy. Being an Exorcist, I should’ve known better.

Either way, I had to close that chapter. And that was that.

“Fine. I guess you’re right,” I said through clenched teeth. “We’ll be here a while. It makes sense to try and cooperate.”

“That’s big of you. Thank you. I appreciate it.”

I snorted and pushed my empty mug to the side, contemplating the almighty mess on the kitchen counter. I’d always been an untidy cook.

Inuel followed my line of sight. “Can I do something to help?”

My eyebrows arched. The novel concept of Inuel wanting to partake in household chores had a nasty smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.

“Well, let’s see,” I said innocently. The spirit of cooperation and letting shit go didn’t mean I couldn’t exercise my right to some restorative justice. “Big and strong as you are, why don’t you start with a few trips to the well? To fill that up?” I indicated the capacious water cask, fitted with a tap, sitting next to the door. “It’ll be more convenient to use it. We’re going to need a lot of water for two people, especially if we want a bath tonight.” The moment I uttered this sentence, my cheeks burned. Would Inuel think I suggested we take a bath together? To cover my fluster, I rushed to add, “I only carried one bucket earlier and now I think I have ahernia. You could do the dishes, too. Only fair since I prepared the food, right? Oh, and if you fancy that, the wood needs chopping.”

Truth be told, the wood bit wasn’t strictly necessary. The logs already stacked in two large seagrass baskets could last us at least a couple of days in terms of cooking. However, having a surplus would allow us to enjoy a fire at night. While the days remained hot, the temperature tended to drop in the evening—typical for the desert—which the oasis still counted as.

I glanced at Inuel, assessing his reaction to my demands.

His face split into a wide grin, his white, elongated canines on show. Appearing excited, as though I’d offered him a gift, he all but jumped to his feet. “Grand. I’ll pop out to check on the horses first and get right on that.”

His enthusiasm brought an unwilling smile to my lips. I massaged my temples, a little confused. “Err… All right, then.”

When the door clicked closed after Inuel, I gave a shaky exhale and clutched my head in my hands, hoping to screw it back on straight.

Ever since my arrival, the events had my mind in a whirl and my emotions scattered. Inuel’s visit to the stables provided me with a private moment, and I welcomed this chance to get my shit together and pick my jaw off the floor. Taking stock of my mood, I registered that my anger and distress had deflated, replaced by a feeling of curious anticipation and… why yes, excitement. One thing I could bet my last silver on—living with Inuel Morhh for a month would be anything but dull.

When he came back, bringing in the smell of hay, he threw me the familiar cheeky wink that still hit the spot and set about tackling the tasks I’d assigned him, behaving as though we’d done it a thousand times before.

For a good while, I continued to sit around and watch him, making every effort to stop myself from rubbing my eyes in disbelief. Inuel truly was in the same room as me, just a few paces away. Letting me boss the shite out of him, no less, and seeming ecstatic at the experience. My bemusement didn’t take away from the great pleasure I took in observing Inuel bustling about the kitchen, following my instructions with utmost care and concentration.

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