Page 18 of A Soul to Guide

Merc gave a hum. “You heard that, did you? You’ve got pretty good hearing.”

It was why she found his constant silent footsteps so alarming all the damn time. Then again, many Elysians were quiet on their feet, and Cykran was the worst for sneaking up on her.

“What were you doing?” she pressed, knowing Merc could be evasive with his own answers just as much as she was.

“I was placing charms out to protect the house. For tonight, neither of us will be eaten by Demons, no matter how much sound, fear, or blood we make.”

Raewyn’s back stiffened. “You didn’t bring me here to kill me, did you?”

The chuckle that came from Merc was sickeningly dark, the moment ominous. She didn’t know if he was being frightful with his words on purpose to make fun of her, but she really didn’t appreciate it.

“If I wanted you dead, I would have done that the first day.”

Raewyn laughed, hoping to break the tension even when her stomach suddenly twisted with uncertainty. She was glad her eyes were covered, since it hid how far her eyebrows shot up in worry.

“So, back to the main topic.” Her hood was moved again. “What are you hiding under there?”

With an annoyed hiss, Raewyn shoved her hood back and turned to him. She showed him her face and head wrapping, but skilfully made sure she didn’t uncover her ears.

“Nothing, see?” She shoved it back up just as quickly. “I’m just cold, so leave me alone. It’s not like you’ve shared a thing about yourself other than your name and that you come from the north.”

“I’m nothing but a traveller. I visit towns, get what I need, and then move on to the next place.”

“Do you not have a home, then?”

“I do, but like I said, it’s north. For someone who has lost their memory, you’d have no idea where it is, even if I told you. Do you even know whereRivenspire is?”

Raewyn grumbled, “Well... no.”

“Exactly, so what’s the point in sharing anything about me?”

“I don’t know.” She rubbed at her arm, seeking to soothe herself.

“How badly is your memory affected?”

She shrugged, trying to feign the memory loss he expected. “I remember some things. I know my parents, my family, my home, but I can’t tell you where they are. I can’t even tell you whereweare.”

“Have you always been without sight?”

“No,” Raewyn answered truthfully. “Why are you asking me all this?”

“I’m just curious about you, is all. It’s not like I’m asking you to lift your dress, so why are you acting so skittish?”

Raewyn’s cheeks heated in embarrassment.Gosh! He’s so blunt and churlish. Why does he have to say things like that?

“I wouldn’t lift my dress for you even if you begged.”

“Why not? I’m a handsome fellow.” She hoped he was just being playful, rather than a creep.

“I really don’t feel like being interrogated, Merc.”

“Interrogated? Most people would call this ‘getting to know each other.’ It’s perfectly normal for someone to inquire about their travel partner. Don’t people usually share conversation over food?”

Raewyn opened her mouth, but closed it when she had no retort. She tipped her head forward as she bit her tongue.I guess he’s not wrong. Most people would do that.

“Your constant evasion of questions, the way you hide your face and body constantly... you have to understand, I find you rather suspicious.”

She hugged her torso. She didn’t want to have to hide from him, but she couldn’t trust a human not to react badly to what she was. The history her people had with his wasn’t kind towards the Elysians.

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