Page 93 of A Soul to Keep

She would have wished him well or told him to be safe, but she didn’t think anything could harm him. He healed fairly quickly, and she’d seen him fight enough to know nothing could really stand a chance against him.

She watched him leave by looking out the window.

Maybe I should ask him to make me a step,she thought when he was gone. Then she burst out laughing.I don’t think it’ll matter. He’ll still be worried that I could fall from it.

Laying the bells and coloured beads she’d taken from the cabinet onto the table, she leaned against it with her arms folded across it and examined them. She didn’t know what she was going to make, but she thought he’d like it regardless. That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to put her all into it.

She grinned at the items.

Big, stupid, bonehead. Don’t think I didn’t notice the first protection charm I made is currently hanging above your bed.She knew it was the one she’d made since the ribbon bow was lop-sided. His were always perfect.

Before she did anything though, she needed to eat. Her stomach was grumbling, and she knew the sun would be warming the yard for the few short hours it did.

Reia walked around outside with her sword not long after she’d eaten her breakfast in the garden – knowing he would have disapproved of her sitting in it without him – for at least an hour or two after Orpheus left.

She stood at the end of the yard, only a foot or two away from the salt circle and in the direction she’d seen him go when she’d watched him out the window.

So… that’s the way out of the Veil.

When she had tried to leave, she’d gone in a similar direction, but it must have been more diagonal. She figured his path would be more direct.

She clenched her fist around the handle of the sword she was holding.

I could do it.Seeing the slight imprints of his heavy weighted footsteps, she’d be able to follow the way he went.

I have the amulet.She could feel the weight of it, the subtle swaying of the loose sapphire teardrop tickling her forehead. Unless a strong Demon tried to touch her, the others would burn themselves like she’d seen the day after he’d given it to her.

And I’m getting better with my sword.The dagger had been a foolish and useless weapon, she knew that now, but the heavy metal in her hands was sharp, long, and could deal a debilitating blow.

She turned her head to look around the yard.

There are no Demons here currently.Orpheus had either killed them or scared them off after her period. She was sure they would come tonight when his spell eventually wore off, but none were here watching the house right now.

The path was clear.

He gave me a bath last night so my scent wouldn’t be smelt from a distance.This was why she’d originally asked him to start doing it daily, using his hands directly rather than his gloves. It gave her more time, more freedom.

The path was paved, she had a sword she kind of knew how to use, and she was protected and hidden. This was Reia’s chance. This was her moment.

There’s plenty of food and water for me to take.She could pack a bag to last her days, and hide that she was human by taking one of his black cloaks and cutting it to fit her size.

He said he won’t be back for a day or two.This was the first time he’d left for so long, and sheknewhe would try to make it quick. She knew he wouldn’t want to be away from her in anxiety that she’d leave.

And she was thinking about it.

Shecoulddo it. Everything was ready, she was ready.

Demonslayers wander the world, even at night.Night above the surface of the Veil was dangerous, perhaps just as dangerous as her walk through it in the daytime.

The sun didn’t touch the ground between the trees. Only Orpheus’ home was open enough to allow it, and only at the back of the house where the garden was.

I’d be long gone before he returned to try to find me.She could hide her scent with snow and bark by rubbing it on her feet and skin.

So, why am I hesitating?Why wasn’t she rushing inside to collect what she could for her survival?

She turned her head down to look at the sword in her hand.

I’ve killed a few Demons but... but I’m not that good at it yet.If she came face-to-face with a strong one, she may not be able to fight it and survive. She couldn’t even take Orpheus by surprise or match his strength and speed. A strong Demon would be no different.

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