Page 14 of A Soul to Guide

“Why the hell are you smiling for?” Merc asked in a curt tone. “The trees may be sparse, but Demons can still travel in the daytime.”

All joy fled out of her in one quick swish. She grabbed the rope again while turning her head to the side to dismiss him.

“Thank you for allowing me to come with you,” she said to take the power away from his rudeness. “You haven’t told me what town you’re going to, or why. Do you mind if I ask?”

“There’s no reason, I’m just travelling.” Then, as if he were incapable of being kind, he added, “You know... you talk strange. Where are you from?”

Raewyn swallowed the lump that formed in her throat.

“My parents aren’t from here. I picked up their accent, I guess.” At leastthatentire statement was completely true.

“Where did they come from then? I’ve been all over this country, and I’ve never heard anyone speak like you.”

“Where are you from?” Raewyn asked, desperate to get away from the conversation.

“North of here. The guards said they found you wandering the forest by yourself. How did someone such as yourself navigate the forest without being guided as you are now?”

“I don’t know,” she answered. “I can’t remember. I think I hurt my head and got separated from those I was travelling with.”

Raewyn nibbled at her bottom lip.He inquired about me? Why?She wasn’t comfortable knowing that. Then again... she did follow him around the market like a stalker.It would be awfully hypocritical of her to judge him.

She was a stranger to him, and he may have wanted to make sure she was safe to travel with.

“They said you were suffering from amnesia, but sometimes people begin regaining their memories over time. You remember nothing? Then how do you know your parents aren’t from here?”

“I was making an educated guess,” Raewyn said, gritting her molars in frustration. “I thought you said you don’t talk much.”

He bit out a grunt, and once more went quiet.

She didn’t know why she let out a giggle she’d tried so hard to suppress. He was often mean and short with those he’d spoken to when she’d followed him in the markets, and it didn’t seem like he appreciated people acting that way back to him.

Which meant she just wanted to do it more to get a rise out of him. Unbeknownst to most, Raewyn was an instigator when she wanted to be. Not a cruel one, and only to those she thought deserved it.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

She thought she’d skilfully hid her giggle. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

She really hadn’t, but she was glad it’d stopped his interrogation.

“It will be impossible for you to offend me, Raewyn. I’ve heard worse things than a little woman like you could ever possibly say to me.”

Little? I’m not little!She was tall, even for an Elysian woman. She was offended, which made little sense, but she thought that might also be because he was a human. She didn’t want him to think her inferior when she was certain she would be faster and stronger than him, even with her thin, tall frame.

“I told you my friends call me Rae,” she offered with a smile to defuse the situation.

“I’m not your friend. By the end of this trip, you will see that.”

Her bottom lip stuck forward into a forced pout. “Has anyone ever said you’re grouchy?”

“I’ve been called many things, but I’ll add that to the list.” Her smile grew at his answer. “I’ll add it to the bottom where I care the least.”

“You know what then, Merc?” she asked in a playful, yet nondescript tone.

“I don’t particularly care to know what you’ll say,” he said, just as the leaves rustled.

Her smile grew so wide that it crinkled the outer creases of her eyes and revealed her even teeth. “By the end of this trip, I’m going to hear you call me Rae.”

She would make him see her as his friend. Not because she needed the validation of him doing so, but because she thought it would be entertaining.

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