Page 19 of A Soul to Guide

Sure, the Demons were worse, but humans had trapped her people in the hopes they could grant their wishes, like they were all-powerful genies. That, or they would just kill or imprison them because they were different, showing off the pointy-eared ‘freaks’ they had in cages to other humans.

What if Merc turned on her when they got to the next town? Raewyn didn’t want to feel that kind of betrayal.

“I showed you my face,” she quietly answered. “What more do you want from me?”

Merc’s voice turned deep and firm as he stated, “I want to knowwhoyou are.”

Raewyn patted the floor until she touched her clothing, finding they still weren’t dry.

“I’m going to sleep, so please don’t touch my clothes,” she bit as she scooped up her bag. “Maybe I can sleep properly for the first time since we left Clawhaven.”

Raewyn went to the wall furthest from Merc. Then she curled up into a ball, pulling her blanket over her body until she’d even covered her head. She crossed her ankles, hoping to make herself as small as possible.

Please, let this be over soon.

Raewyn only fell asleep for an hour, maybe two, when orange and cinnamon saturated her senses. However, it was her hood being pushed back that caused her to quickly sit up and knock Merc’s arm away.

“What are you doing?” she snapped, pushing herself against the wall while propping her knees protectively against her chest.

“Wake up, the sun is rising.”

She pulled her hood more firmly over her head. “Why were you touching my cloak?”

“I wasn’t,” he argued with a huff. “I was about to tap your cheek to wake you.”

The lie was obvious, and the trust she’d felt in Merc’s presence over the past two days was beginning to die.

“H-how long will it be before we get to the next town?” she asked, remaining seated on the ground while he stepped away from her.

“A few days.”

“You’ve been saying that since we left Clawhaven.”

“It’s a few days,” he bit out. “But I travel faster alone, and your need to sleep all night is slowing me down. So, Raewyn, I’m saying a few days because I have no idea how long it’s going to take us.”

Her shoulders hunched in as she drew her legs tighter against her chest. For the first time in their journey together, her heart picked up its speed.

Merc sighed. “Sorry, I’m just being impatient. I want this to end as much as you do. I’m not used to being around the same person for so long. It’s why I travel a lot, and usually alone.”

The smile Raewyn gave was weak. “It’s fine, I guess. We all have our days.”

“Here,” Merc said, and the thump of something landing near her feet startled her. “Let’s get going.”

As she was putting on her boots, she carefully listened to his movements around the house.What does he want from me?She was beginning to feel like he hadn’t allowed her to travel with him just to be nice.

Then a thought crossed her mind.What if he is just being nice and I’m worried for no reason?

Merc had never hurt her, had never tried to touch her or rob her. He’d given her no reason to not trust him, other than his questioning her and wanting to see her face properly.

Raewyn rubbed at her neck self-consciously.

It is pretty suspicious of me to keep my hood on all the time. Maybe I can tuck my ears into my hair wrapping so I can lower it?

She was choosing to trust Merc, but at the same time, he was also trusting her. Her secrecy might be worrying him.

Her lips pulled to one side as her ears drooped.If it were the other way around...

“Hurry up. You can look conflicted on our travels.”

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